Pakistan

CPEC to change fate of the region: Nawaz

PM says the best tribute to Quaid is to make Pakistan a developed state

Sardar Sikander September 12, 2016

PM says the best tribute to Quaid is to make Pakistan a developed state. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday voiced confidence that once ready the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects would turn around the economic outlook of the whole region.

His remarks came a day after Vice Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China, Zheng Xiaosong, stressed that political consensus is essential for fully exploiting the potential of the economic corridor.

CPEC not just game but fate changer: PM

“The law and order situation in the country is much improved and the backbone of extremist elements has been broken. The government is striving day and night to eliminate load-shedding, one of the biggest hurdles to economic growth. And completion of CPEC projects will turn around the economic outlook of the whole region,” the PM said in his message on the 68th death anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Zheng, while talking with a visiting delegation of the PPP in Beijing, said: “Political consensus coupled with unanimity in approach is essential to draw the maximum benefits from this mega project which is a game-changer for the region.”

'CPEC one of greatest projects in region'

He dispelled the impression that the CPEC would solely benefit China and Pakistan. “More than 50 countries would reap the benefit of this great $46 billion project.”

These comments are significant because it came just days after Indian PM Narendra Modi had accused Pakistan of fomenting terrorism in South Asia while speaking at the just concluded G-20 summit in China. “The best way of paying tribute to the father of the nation is to sincerely strive for making Pakistan a peaceful, moderate, welfare and a developed Islamic state in accordance with his vision,” the PM said.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2016.

COMMENTS (6)

B Shivaramakrishna | 7 years ago | Reply Gratifying that Prime Minster Modi’s proposal to finance Chabahar Port has shown up Pakistan’s claim of being gateway to Central Asian Republics despite not having a shared border for the boastful delusion it is and forced Minister Khurram Dastagir Khan to admit that the only way to strengthen trade relations with Central Asia “is through Afghanistan”. Afghanistan should use Chabahar trump card provided by India to stand up to Punjabi bullying and stick to her guns about not permitting Pakistan two way import/export transit access to the CAR’s, including by not allowing transit for TAPI and CASA 1000, unless Pakistan permits Afghanistan similar two way import/export transit access to India.

Sri Varahadev | 7 years ago | Reply To avoid criticism of cherished Pakistani notions not rooted in reality, best to point out that when PM Sharif said “completion of CPEC projects will turn around the economic outlook of the whole region” the “region” he meant was the Province of Punjab. Likewise when Vice Minister Zheng said “More than 50 countries would reap the benefit of this great $46 billion project” what he actually meant was the more than 50 Tehsils of Punjab Province.