On August 3, Pakistan appointed Khalid Mansoor to the top position responsible for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), replacing retired Pakistan Army General Asim Saleem Bajwa. Mansoor's title will be 'Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on CPEC Affairs.' Mansoor, with a career spanning 32 years, has worked at top management positions in many energy-related companies including Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company and Hub Power Company Limited, the latter of which has been involved in CPEC projects. Pakistan's Planning Minister Asad Umar tweeted: "[Khalid Mansoor's] 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." News of Khalid Mansoor's appointment has received a mixed reception in Pakistan with some alleging he represents Pakistan's business elite and others like Daroo Khan Achakzai, a former president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industries, saying that "Asim Bajwa was doing a great job with CPEC and developed a strong grip on the matter and removing him from the job is not in the interests of CPEC."
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