ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has appointed Khalid Mansoor as his Special Assistant on CPEC Affairs, Ministry of Planning said in a press release issued on Tuesday.
Mansoor brings with him over four decades of experience working with multiple organizations in energy, petrochemicals, and fertilizer industries. He is expected to lead the second phase of CPEC which will focus on industrial cooperation.
Mr. Mansoor has extensive experience of working with Chinese companies and has a deep understanding of joint ventures, project development and execution with Chinese partners.
He is a well-known business leader and has served as President of Overseas Chamber of Commerce of Industry (OICCI). He has also worked closely with international financial institutions, like the World Bank, IFC, MIGA, OPIC, ADB, DEG, OFID as well as Chinese financial institutions such as China Development Bank, China Exim Bank, ICBC, Sinosure etc.
Meanwhile Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar in his tweet welcomed the newly appointed SAPM.
“I welcome khalid mansoor to the team as SAPM for CPEC affairs”, he said adding that his vast corporate experience, with extensive work with Chinese companies and his direct involvement in leading some of the biggest CPEC projects makes him an ideal person to lead the next phase of CPEC.
In another tweet the minister eulogised services of the outgoing Chairman CPEC. “I want to thank Asim Saleem Bajwa for his services in moving CPEC forward and playing a vital role in broadening of the CPEC scope with a transition to second phase of CPEC”.
His dedication and commitment was a source of great strength and support, he added.
Earlier Asim Saleem Bajwa said in a tweet “I bow my head before Allah Almighty for giving me an opportunity to raise & steer the important institution of CPEC Authority as one window for all CPEC projects, charting the future direction” .
He said it would not have been possible without full confidence and support of the Prime Minister and his Government.
He said the course is set for future progression of CPEC, this journey will go on.
“My best wishes to Kahlid Mansoor, who is fully equipped to take it forward. CPEC is life line for Pakistan, it will transform us into a progressive and fully developed country InshaAllah,” he added.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a collection of several infrastructure projects carried out by Beijing and Islamabad since 2013.
It was originally estimated at $47 billion, though it reached about $62 billion in 2020.
Last month, a blast on a bus killed nine Chinese nationals in Pakistan who were involved in the construction of Dasu hydroelectric project in Upper Kohistan region.
The Pakistani authorities promptly attributed the incident to a “mechanical failure,” though the Chinese authorities insisted on a thorough investigation.
The incident resulted in a rare public disagreement between the two countries, creating a perception of some friction between them.
Who is Khalid Mansoor?
Khalid Mansoor has more than 32 years of experience in energy and petrochemical sectors in leading roles for mega-size projects’ development, execution, management and operations. He recently re-joined the board of the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) as a director, according to his profile available on Engro Energy’s website.
Mansoor, who holds a degree in chemical engineering, served as the chief executive of the Hub Power Company Limited (Hubco) and is the chairman of Laraib Energy Limited, a subsidiary of Hubco. He has also previously held the position of chief executive officer of Algeria Oman Fertiliser Company (AOA) and prior to that, served as the president and CEO of Engro Fertilisers Limited, Engro Powergen Qadirpur Limited, Engro Powergen Limited and SECMC, the profile says.