‘Absurd’: President rejects Indian criticism over on Gwadar-Kashgar road

Says New Delhi’s tone is a violation of diplomatic norms.

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Monday rejected Indian criticism over China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project as “absurd” and said New Delhi’s tone and tenor was a violation of diplomatic norms.

He however urged not to overreact to the malicious statements by India and called upon the nation to stand united to foil any ulterior designs against the CPEC.

“India and many other countries are not happy with CPEC, which has the potential to transform Pakistan into an important country of the region,” said the President. He expressed these views in an address at the 12th convocation of National Security and War Course, here at the National Defence University (NDU).



The event was attended by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mehmood, graduates of the course including 42 military personnel from 20 countries. President Mamnoon said it was important not to get provoked by these remarks and act prudently by concentrating on the completion of Economic Corridor.

He said the project was beneficial for both Pakistan and China, adding that security arrangements were in place for the Chinese working over CPEC. He said Pakistani nation had tremendous potential, will and resilience to deal with all challenges in an effective manner.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 16^th, 2015.