No threat to CPEC from US, West: Nawaz

However, some regional powers are unhappy with the multibillion-dollar project, says the PM

ANKARA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said he did not feel the United States or the West are opposed to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), but added that some ‘regional powers’ appear to have a problem with the multibillion-dollar project.

“I don’t sense any conspiracy is being hatched by the US or the West against CPEC,” the premier told reporters at a breakfast meeting in Ankara before leaving for Pakistan after completing his three-day visit. “But some regional powers are unhappy with this project,” he said in reply to a question about the economic corridor.



Speaking about Afghanistan, Premier Nawaz said Pakistan was a well-wisher for the war-torn country and urged the government in Kabul to realise that. “Pakistan has always desire peace and stability in Afghanistan and wants to contribute to its development,” he said.

When asked about the recent wave of terror incidents in Pakistan, the prime minister said that even though many of those attacks had been traced back to elements hiding in Afghanistan, Islamabad still wants to see its neighbour achieve stability. “A peaceful Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan and the region,” he added.