Will leave no stone unturned to complete CPEC on time: COAS

Says project security is Pakistan’s national undertaking

ISLAMABAD: Army chief General Raheel Sharif on Thursday assured China that Pakistan will not leave any stone unturned to ensure the timely completion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

He made these remarks while speaking at the Chinese embassy in Islamabad to commemorate the 89th anniversary of the founding of China’s Peoples Liberation Army.

General Raheel said CPEC was a strategic game-changer not just for Pakistan but for the entire region. “It is destined to bring significant improvement in the lives of hundreds of millions of people, besides further promoting mutual interdependence among regional states,” he added.



“As chief of army staff, I assure you that security of CPEC is our national undertaking and we will not leave any stone unturned to ensure its timely completion and uninterrupted success,” General Raheel said. On Pakistan-China ties, General Raheel said Pakistan Army and the people of Pakistan take pride in ‘our bonds of friendship’ with China. “This iconic relationship is sweeter than the honey, higher than the Himalayas and deeper than the oceans. It is a symbol of our time tested friendship and deep and impregnable relationship,” he remarked.

He further said the affinity of views between China and Pakistan reflected ‘our common vision and shared destiny.’  “This convergence of our interests and commonality of purpose make us the most important strategic players in the region,” he maintained.

“Today, our mutually beneficial engagements include defence collaboration and joint production ventures. It also includes unified diplomatic front at all international platforms including United Nations, Association of South East Asian Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organization; and the splendid China Pakistan Economic Corridor.”



He described China and Pakistan as partners in fight against the menace of terrorism for the common good of humanity. “We seek enhanced regional cooperation to root out the menace of extremism and terrorism for enduring peace and stability in the region.”

“As we consolidate the gains of Operation  Zarb-e-Azb, we will continue to take action against terrorists of all hue and colour. Our resolve to break the nexus between terrorists, criminality and corruption is unflinching,” he said He reiterated that Pakistan Army and PLA form the edifice of “our overall strategic relations.” “I am sure that the vast range of professional collaboration between PLA and Pakistan Army will continue to grow as a hallmark of the eternal friendship and common future of China and Pakistan.”

“I once again extend felicitations to the People’s Liberation Army on this historic day. People of Pakistan truly admire your achievements and we are proud of being your close partners,” he remarked.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2016.