Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Monday called for the completion of the infrastructure projects, planned as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), by the end of 2017.

The prime minister issued the instruction while chairing a high- level meeting of CPEC to review the progress of infrastructure and energy projects.

Sharif, during the meeting, urged to complete the work on the new Gawadar International Airport that will be a key part of the CPEC.

The Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, briefed the prime minister on various projects under the CPEC and said the major infrastructure projects including a motorway that links the northwestern Peshawar city with the country's commercial hub Karachi is ready for groundbreaking.

The motorway will cover major cities of Sukkar, Multan, Gojra, Khanewal and Lahore.

The meeting also reviewed another route from Havelian to Thakot in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and other sections of Karakoram Highway that are being upgraded.