CPEC to be completed at all costs: Army chief

General Raheel says armed forces are aware of the rivals' campaigns against CPEC

Army Chief General Raheel Sharif on Saturday said the country is aware of the 'rivals' campaign' against China,  Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and vowed to complete it at all costs.

"We are acutely aware of our rivals' campaign against CPEC," the army chief was quoted as saying by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR). He vowed to that the armed forces are to pay any price to turn this cherished dream into a reality.

"Gawadar Port&CPEC will be built as the most strategic deep sea port in the region at all cost"-5 pic.twitter.com/I8r1ADwetu

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 25, 2015

The army chief inspected five roads under construction as part of the project in Panjgur, Balochistan and was told that 502 of 870 kilometers of the road network project have been completed.

Read: Linking Gwadar : FWO pulls off rare road building feat

"Roads will link Gwadar to the rest of the country and yield the envisioned dividend of the port and corridor to transform people’s lives and bring prosperity," General Raheel added.

Read: Pak-China economic corridor: Army chief vows to defeat enemy’s designs

“The port and corridor are being built as the most strategic deep seaport in the region,” he said. Further, General Raheel commended the workers and soldiers of Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) for their bravery and ability to maintain quality in the construction of the project.

Read: China reassured of tight security for corridor

He also applauded Frontier Constabulary and police for bringing about a noticeable change in the overall security situation of the province.

Paying rich tributes to the valiant people of the province, the army chief expressed gratitude for their unconditional support.

“Balochistan’s potential will only be realised through the entire nation’s support for its security; a secure and peaceful environment is a must for the project,” the army chief stressed.

Lauded LEAs for noticeable change in overall security of Bln.Commended FC&police for recent successful op vs foreign funded terrorists-8

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 25, 2015

Bln's potential will only be realised through whole of nation apch 4 its security&dev.Secure&peaceful Envmt was must to push planned work-7

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 25, 2015

The Frontier Works Organisation, the construction arm of Pakistan Army, has completed 502 kilometres of the 870 kilometre road network project for linking Gwadar Port with the rest of the country.

The project encompasses construction of 870 kilometres of road. Deployment was approved in February 2014 and FWO units were mobilised on sites in March 2014. Presently 11 units were employed on various road projects in Balochistan. To date 502 kilometres of road has been completed in less than one-and-a-half year.

FWO has faced armed attacks from insurgents many times. Construction of these roads will link Gawadar Port with upcountry by multiple routes including Chaman through N-25, Dera Ismail Khan through N-50 and Indus Highway N-55.