Pakistan staunch supporter of China's BRI: PM Imran

Premier dispels debt-trap rumours regarding CPEC

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has termed Pakistan a staunch supporter of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which is successfully implementing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the BRI’s major pilot project.

He also quashed the debt-trap rumours regarding CPEC, saying that the reality was that the megaproject had acted as a catalyst to boost the socio-economic aspect of our relations with China and that development projects were being implemented under the BRI not just in Pakistan but across much of the world.

The prime minister made the remarks ahead of his trip to China in a written interview with Chinese media here. He also expressed the hope that the upcoming Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing would help integrate development strategies in the region and beyond.



Khan asserted that, six years after its inception, the BRI had become a reality and "an international public good" built on a solid foundation which was poised to take off to the next stage of policy coordination, connectivity, trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds.

The prime minister opined that recent announcements by some Western countries of joining the Belt and Road Initiative would further boost the Initiative and its development, adding that the BRI promised intra and inter-regional economic integration for mutual prosperity and win-win cooperation and would strengthen and promote economic globalization and connectivity.

He disclosed that he had reached a consensus with the Chinese leadership on the future trajectory of CPEC and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to the timely completion of ongoing projects as well as joint efforts for realization of its full potential with a focus on socio-economic development, job creation and cooperation in industrial development, industrial parks and agriculture.



The prime minister further said that the People’s Republic of China, which celebrates the 70th anniversary of its founding this year, has dazzled the world with its stellar success in all walks of human endeavour and has made great strides in poverty alleviation, technology innovation, space exploration and social harmony.

As a developing country and a friend of China’s, he said, Pakistan celebrates her achievements and draws strength and inspiration from it and hopes that, under the current leadership, China continues its march for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation befitting its rich history, ancient civilization and immense potential.



Prime Minister Imran Khan called Pakistan and China all-weather strategic partners with extensive links in the political, economic, defence and cultural spheres. He also expressed his desire to further expand the scope and depth of bilateral ties which he said were based on mutual trust and understanding.

He also expressed his appreciation for China's strong and unequivocal commitment to Pakistan's integrity and sovereignty.

Pledging to continue supporting China on all core issues, he emphasized that Pakistan endorsed and appreciated China's vision of a peaceful world in which progress and prosperity were shared by all, with challenges to global political and economic stability being resolved through cooperation and dialogue rather than belligerence and brinksmanship.

Imran Khan had made his first China trip as Pakistan’s prime minister in November last year.