Islamabad, 15 August 2022 (TDI): In an interview with Chinese media, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, said that CPEC has helped Pakistan to make quick and substantial economic and social progress.
While speaking on occasion, the Prime Minister of Pakistan said that during the last 10 years, CPEC had helped Pakistan by easing infrastructure and electrical restrictions and laying the foundation for long-term economic transformation.
He further added that Pakistan supports the expansion of CPEC to Afghanistan because it would increase regional connectivity and economic integration.
CPEC lays the groundwork for sustained indigenous economic modernization: PM Shehbaz#CPEC #BRI @WangXianfeng8 @PakinChina_ @CathayPak @zhang_heqing @AmbNong @CMShehbaz https://t.co/kULtdpTBCG
— CPEC Official (@CPEC_Official) August 15, 2022
On Pakistan development
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan faces several challenges in its development. But one of the most talented and young populations in the state and Pakistan utilized its youth power for development.
For that purpose, Pakistan has shifted its geo-strategy to geo-economics for the state’s development and growth and the people’s welfare. Pakistan is laying the groundwork for lengthy structural changes to stabilize the economy.
Pakistan-China strategic partnership
The Prime Minister also discussed the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Pakistan and China. He said both China and Pakistan support each other in their respective interests.
Prime Minister of Pakistan said that Pakistan and China share the bond of “Iron-Brotherhood’ and is characterized by mutual trust, complete understanding and support, mutual respect, and common views on important regional and global issues.
He further emphasized that Pakistan-China relations are a factor of peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Pakistan is amongst the earliest supporters of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and CPEC, also transforming Pakistan’s economic landscape.
Regional connectivity through CPEC
The Prime Minister also talked about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which has continued to make rapid and tangible progress. Shehbaz Sharif prioritized the early completion of ongoing CPEC projects, which form the foundation for our future agenda of bilateral economic cooperation.
CPEC focuses on energy and infrastructure development. Pakistan hopes for the early completion of small projects such as the strategic Main Line 1 (ML-1) railway line. This accelerates the transfer of industrial facilities and strengthens our integration into global value chains.
Moreover, Shehbaz Sharif said that to extend CPEC to Afghanistan, Pakistan and China are prepared to make the necessary arrangements with the Afghan government. The program’s expansion of CPEC to link markets inside and beyond the region is the natural next step.
CPEC extension towards Afghanistan also increases regional connectivity and economic integration.
That’s why Pakistan and China also try to maintain peace in Afghanistan. For the CPEC projects, Pakistan is also playing a leading role in to fight against terrorism and extremism in the region.
Pakistan has a firm belief in the CPEC Project
Pakistan is fully aware of the dangers and difficulties of partnership with China. The Prime Minister said that his government had enhanced security measures.
Pakistan has also made breakthroughs in investigating these dastardly acts. Those who target Pakistan-China cooperation are, first and foremost, enemies of our development and the well-being of our people; they will not escape justice.”
Moreover, some countries regard the construction of the CPEC as a threat. The Prime Minister also said that CPEC is a development program to unite the region to pursue development and stability.
Pakistan and China have a strong economic partnership, and both states show commitment to further strengthening it for mutual benefit. Pakistan prioritized the industrial growth of the state.
The development of CPEC Special Economic Zones is progressing, and Pakistan encouraging Chinese investment in significant industrial areas.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praises CPC
Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has visited China many times and marvelled at its stellar rise. He said that China’s contemporary leadership, with their commitment, intelligence, and hard work, has put the country on the route to national rejuvenation.
China’s stellar rise is a modern miracle. This could not have been achieved without the leadership provided by the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Prime MinisterSheba Sharif said that he has full confidence that China will attain national rejuvenation under the leadership and guidance of the CPC.
