Dream debut: Gwadar port ships off first CPEC cargo

PM says enemies of CPEC are enemies of Pakistan and China

GWADAR: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday launched from Gwadar port the first shipment of trade goods to arrive from China via the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), officially kicking off trade activity at the harbour and across the multibillion-dollar road network.

“Today we have gathered to witness the dream of CPEC turning into a reality, further strengthening bilateral ties between China and Pakistan which have stood the test of time, he said while addressing the launch ceremony of the first mega pilot trade cargo, attended by the three services chiefs, joint chiefs of staff committee chairman, Balochistan chief minister, members of the federal cabinet, Chinese dignitaries, a number of envoys and others.



Terming the arrival of the trade convoy from Kashghar to Gwadar a ‘watershed event’, the premier said “CPEC, conceived by the leadership of China and Pakistan, has materialised, bringing a dawn of immense trade and commerce opportunities for the whole region.”

Premier Nawaz said Pakistan is a proud partner of China and assured that his government would leave no stone unturned to complete all development projects under the aegis of CPEC on time. He lauded the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s “vision of shared regional prosperity which  coincides with Pakistan’s vision of development of 2020” and called it “the need of the hour in a conflict-ridden and increasing polarised world.”

“CPEC is the fusion of President Xi’s concept of ‘one belt and one road’ project which integrates trade activities of various regional countries through enhanced connectivity, thus transforming Pakistan into a major hub of commerce,” he added.

Premier Nawaz said Pakistan enjoys a unique geostrategic location at the crossroads of three major engines of growth – South Asia, China and Central Asia – and by serving as a major trade hub, would change the fate of region’s three billion people. He reiterated that CPEC would open a world of opportunities for China, Pakistan and the region. Terming Gwadar port the ‘jewel in the CPEC crown’, he expressed confidence that due to its prime geostrategic location, it would play a pivotal role in future trade and cargo activities.

Premier Nawaz said the vision of sustained development must reach to those ‘mired in poverty and backwardness’. “In this regard, CPEC will provide benefits to all under-developed areas of Pakistan, including Balochistan, K-P, Fata, AJK and G-B,” he said, assuring that no area of the country would be deprived of the fruits of prosperity from various CPEC schemes. Stressing that CPEC is a national programme, Premier Nawaz called the enemies of the mega project the enemies of Pakistan and China.



He lauded the services of FWO for operationalising Gwadar port by laying three major road networks through the rough and difficult terrains of the province. He paid tribute to the brave 40 FWO men who laid down their lives in the construction of the road projects. The prime minister also commended the personal support and indulgence of army chief Gen Raheel Sharif and Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri for executing the development projects.

Balochistan CM Sanaullah Zehri termed the event a landmark development and commended both the prime minister and army chef for their dedication. He expressed hope that massive development projects would lead to socio-economic uplift of the area.

FWO Director General Maj-Gen Muhammad Afzal said it was the legacy of Gen Raheel, who initiated Operation Zarb-e-Azb, making possible the commencement of the mega project. He said the armed forces personnel had rendered countless sacrifices to realise the CPEC dream. He added that Premier Nawaz’s patronage was also vital for the realisation of the project.

Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong conveyed the warm felicitations on behalf of the Chinese government to the Pakistani nation and the government and said “it is a significant development as for the first time, a trade convoy has passed through the western route to the south and north of the country, showing the greater connectivity.”

“It proves the capacity of the port to handle the shipment of the trade cargo to international destinations,” he added.

PM condemns attack

Referring to the grisly terrorist attack at the Shah Noorani shrine, Nawaz said his thoughts and sympathies were with the families of the victims. “Such cowardly attacks cannot weaken our determination to completely eliminate the menace of terrorism,” he said, adding that Operation Zarb-e-Azb had broken the back of terrorists with countless sacrifices by the personnel of armed forces.



“We will not rest till Pakistan is brought back to the Quaid’s vision where all people, irrespective of their religion, race or ethnicity, lived in harmony,” the premier vowed. (WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY OUR CORRESPONDENT IN QUETTA)

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2016.