CPEC does not have military designs: Khattak

Defence minister calls for Pak-Belarus collaboration in armed personnel training

ISLAMABAD:

Defence Minister Pervez Khattak said on Wednesday the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) did not have any military designs rather the mega project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aimed at economic development of the region.

Talking to his Belarusian counterpart, Lt-Gen Viktor Khrenin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Defence Ministers conference in Dushanbe, Tajikistan Khattak reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to facilitating peace efforts in Afghanistan.

“The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor does not have any military designs,” Khattak told his Belarusian counterpart. “The project will contribute towards peace, stability and economic development in the region,” he said.

Read: Pakistan to continue advancing CPEC, ensure timely completion of projects: Qureshi

The defence minister emphasised the need for Pakistan and Belarus to enhance bilateral collaboration in training of armed personnel, transfer of technology and sharing of defence-related expertise.

He said that Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with Belarus, bilaterally and in the context of European Union (EU). He also underscored the importance of enhancing interaction between defence forces of the two countries.

The two defence ministers expressed satisfaction over the ongoing defence collaboration between Pakistan and Belarus and agreed to work together to achieve the common goal of regional peace and security. They agreed to work together to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.