Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China next month is expected to give a new impetus to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

Talking to the media persons in Islamabad on Wednesday, he however regretted that PTI Chairman Imran Khan through its long march wants to damage Pakistan’s image at the international level.

He said no progress was seen on CPEC project during the government of PTI.

The Minister for Planning said the general elections will be held in October next year.  He said the results of population census will be available by March next year following which the Election Commission of Pakistan will require four months for delimitation of constituencies.

He said the government during the next five to six months will focus entirely on the rehabilitation of flood affected people.

He said Pakistan at this juncture requires stability and unity to cope with the challenges of terrorism and floods devastation.