Iqbal allays neighbours’ ‘concerns’ about CPEC
'No one can obstruct the progress of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor'
Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal. PHOTO: REUTERS
BEIJING:
Federal Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said on Saturday that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is open to all countries and is created for the entire region’s progress, laying to rest what he said were ‘apprehensions of neighbouring countries’ towards the mega-project.
“No one can obstruct the progress of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor,” he told China Global Television Network, adding that both sides will ensure its completion. He said that Pakistan has raised a special force of about 15,000 personnel who are assigned exclusively for the security of Chinese personnel working on CPEC projects. China and Pakistan agreed to strengthen anti-terrorism and security cooperation along CPEC in this month, he added.
Iqbal also appreciated Chinese President Xi Jinping’s speech at the Interpol conference. “Soon India will realise that opposing CPEC is not even in their interest. It will also help them to improve trade with China and Central Asia republics,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2017.
Federal Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said on Saturday that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is open to all countries and is created for the entire region’s progress, laying to rest what he said were ‘apprehensions of neighbouring countries’ towards the mega-project.
“No one can obstruct the progress of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor,” he told China Global Television Network, adding that both sides will ensure its completion. He said that Pakistan has raised a special force of about 15,000 personnel who are assigned exclusively for the security of Chinese personnel working on CPEC projects. China and Pakistan agreed to strengthen anti-terrorism and security cooperation along CPEC in this month, he added.
Iqbal also appreciated Chinese President Xi Jinping’s speech at the Interpol conference. “Soon India will realise that opposing CPEC is not even in their interest. It will also help them to improve trade with China and Central Asia republics,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2017.