Sahiwal project launch: Some elements oppose China ties: Shehbaz

Says those who claim Beijing attached preconditions in connection with CPEC are enemies of Pakistan

LAHORE: Indirectly accusing Imran Khan’s PTI of trying to put Pakistan’s future at stake, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has alleged that ‘some elements’ overtly support Pakistan-China friendship but have opposed it covertly.

“Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has played a vital role in strengthening Pakistan-China friendship. However, some elements overtly support Pakistan-China friendship but oppose it covertly,” Shehbaz claimed on Monday while addressing a function organised at the completion of 1,320MW Sahiwal Coal Power Plant in Sahiwal.

Referring to the PTI and PAT’s marathon sit-in in Islamabad in 2014, he said he personally witnessed that the sit-in organizers were requested to leave the sit-in place for a few days in view of arrival of the Chinese president but they did not budge.



“Political as well as military leadership tried their level best in this regard but the sit-in organizers stuck to their guns and refused to leave the place. They, in fact, wanted to put the future of Pakistan at stake and the visit of Chinese president to Pakistan was resultantly postponed,” he added.

Punjab CM claimed that they [the PTI] made every effort to initiate negative propaganda about the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. However, Shehbaz said, these projects were being completed in spite of all that.

“Despite sit-ins and lockdown, the projects of development and prosperity of the country would be completed as the country has moved towards its destination and the 20 crore people will not let this journey go astray,” he said.



He said: “Our opponents and critics claimed that these projects would not materialise but by the grace of the Almighty, this mega CPEC project [Sahiwal Coal Power Plant] is providing 1320-megawatt electricity to the national grid.”

Referring to the ongoing Panamagate probe, the CM jestingly said Pakistan would continue to progress despite all ‘Panama or Benama’. Pakistan will continue to move further under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, he added.

The CM said the past governments had weakened the country with their corruption, maladministration and nepotism in energy and reconstruction projects.

He said because of this corruption the cost of Rs80 billion worth Neelam Jhelum Project soared to Rs500 billion. This project will produce 985MW electricity while the Rs180 billion worth Sahiwal Coal Power Project is producing 1,320MW electricity, he added.

“Similarly, Nandipur Power Project is also a worst example of plunder and corruption. However, light has spread everywhere today under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif,” Shehbaz said.



The CM said Sahiwal Coal Power Project was a gift to the nation. Completion of the project in a record period of 22 months was a story of continued hard work, transparency, efficiency, trust and honesty.

Paying tribute to the Chinese leadership, Shehbaz said China supported Pakistan during the wars of 1965 and 1971 without any compulsion and always supported the Kashmir issue at the UN. China stands with Pakistan at different international forums and is like a wall of rock between Pakistan and its enemies.

“The elements, who alleged that China has attached preconditions in connection with the CPEC, are enemy of Pakistan. China has initiated the CPEC in Pakistan without any compulsion and proved its friendship,” he said.

He said people would destroy the enemy which would dare to cast an evil eye on Pakistan. “Pakistan will achieve development and prosperity by following the principles of prosperity through hard work, trust and honesty,” he added.