Pak-China collaboration: Study centre, business council planned

Seminar highlights Pakistan-China cooperation through the CPEC


News Desk September 12, 2015
Seminar highlights Pakistan-China cooperation through the CPEC. PHOTO: INP

A study centre focusing on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and Pakistan-SCO Business Council will be established aimed at promoting regional ties, said a press release issued here on Saturday.

The Pakistan-Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Friendship Forum (PSCOFF) and Inter-University Consortium for the Promotion of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (IUCPSS), an alliance of more than 20 Pakistani universities, will jointly establish the centre and the business council, the audience was told at a seminar held here on “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC): Peaceful and Prosperous Pakistan”.

The event focused on discussing and highlighting future prospects of Pakistan-China cooperation through the CPEC.

Chinese Deputy Chief of Mission Zhao Lijian said that under the framework of the CPEC, number of trade routes between China and Pakistan would be expanded.

He said that development of Gwadar port and airport, and construction of eastern, western and central alignments, would connect all the provinces and regions of Pakistan, and would turn the country into an industrial hub.

The envoy said that this mega project would transform Pakistan into a regional economic hub as well as further boost the growing ties between the two countries.

He also spoke about the rapid developments taking place in Balochistan and other parts of Pakistan under the CPEC.

PSCOFF President Farhat Asif highlighted the role of the SCO after Pakistan and India’s permanent membership in the regional organisation. She urged civil society activists, diplomats, media and academics to join the forum to campaign for a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan. Maj Gen (retired) Dr Zahir Shah, the CPEC project director, said peace and development were the key goals of the economic corridor.

University of Education Lahore Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Rauf-i-Azam and Comsats Institute of Information Technology (CIIT), Islamabad Centre for Policy Studies Adviser Prof Dr Talat Anwar underlined the importance of close linkages between universities in Pakistan and China through collaborative research, faculty exchange and other joint academic ventures.

Anwar assured the cooperation and support of the Centre for Policy Studies for effective implementation of the CPEC.

Khalid Mehmood Raja, chairman Maknom Group of Companies explained various business opportunities between countries of the region and how Pakistani entrepreneurs could benefit from them.

It was announced that the Pak-SCO Business Expo would be held in 2016. The event was attended by ambassadors, senior diplomats, academics, government officials and representatives of the civil society.

The seminar was organised by the PSCOFF in collaboration with the inter-university consortium, and the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13th, 2015.

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