Islamabad: The Pakistan government has appointed a new chairman of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority.
Khalid Mansoor who has significant business experience has replaced former Pakistani general Asim Saleem Bajwa, according to an official notification.
Prime Minister Imran Khan appointed Khalid Mansoor as his special assistant on CPEC affairs. Mansoor has over four decades of experience working with multiple organisations in energy, petrochemicals, and fertiliser industries. He also has significant experience in dealing with leading Chinese firms, joint venture partners and financial institutions. He is expected to lead the second phase of CPEC which will focus on industrial cooperation.
Bajwa announced his departure in a Twitter post, expressing gratitude for being given the “opportunity to raise and steer the important institution of CPEC Authority,” saying that the prime minister offered full support to the organisation and his administration. Congratulating his successor, Bajwa termed CPEC as a “lifeline for Pakistan”, saying it would “transform us into a progressive and fully developed country”.
Pakistan’s planning minister Asad Umar in his tweet thanked Bajwa for his services, saying that “his dedication and commitment was a source of great strength and support.” He also welcomed the new CPEC Authority chairman noting that Mansoor had a wealth of experience of working with Chinese companies and leading some of the biggest CPEC projects which made him “an ideal person to lead the next phase” of multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Who is Khalid Mansoor?
Khalid Mansoor has more than 32 years of experience in energy and petrochemical sectors in leading roles. He served as the chief executive of the Hub Power Company Limited (Hubco) – Pakistan’s largest independent power producer. Mansoor, who holds a degree in chemical engineering, has held executive positions at Algeria Oman Fertiliser Company, CEO of Engro Fertilisers Limited, Engro Powergen Qadirpur Limited, Engro Powergen Limited (EPL) and Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC).
