PM Shehbaz vows to pursue CPEC with new vigor and commitment

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed the resolve to pursue the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with a new vigor and commitment by focusing on areas such as agriculture, special economic zones, Information Technology and exploration of natural resources.

Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad on Wednesday to commemorate the completion of 10 years of multi-billion-dollar CPEC project, Shehbaz Sharif said he was confident that the CPEC would take a new turn with the incorporation of these vital sectors.

Shehbaz Sharif said it is the most transparent project in which investment of about 25.4 billion dollars has so far been made. He regretted that the previous government not only halted progress on the CPEC but also left no stone unturned to damage this relationship which is higher than the Himalayas. He, however, said that the present coalition government had made sincere efforts to further strengthen the relationship with China.

He said Pakistan will have to learn a lot from the Chinese successes in different fields.

Recalling the initiation of work on the CPEC back in 2013, the Prime Minister said this mega project transformed the landscape of Pakistan. He said it was because of the untiring efforts of the leadership of both the countries that the projects such as coal and hydel power projects, orange line and road infrastructure were completed in record times. 

The Prime Minister commended the unstinted support of the Chinese leadership and companies for the CPEC. He also recognized the Chinese financial support to Pakistan in recent months. 

LIVE🔴 Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
addressing the ceremony on the completion of 10 years of signing of China Pakistan Economic Corridor MOU between 🇵🇰 and 🇨🇳 in Islamabad.https://t.co/CZksDheIRp

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 5, 2023

Shehbaz Sharif said the staff level agreement has been reached with the IMF. He expressed the confidence that the IMF's board meeting on the 12th July would approve the agreement.

Expressing the commitment to fulfill the IMF's conditions, Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan is now fully secure and there is no threat of default. He said we will now have to focus on uplifting the country and protecting the poor people from inflation.  

In her remarks on the occasion, Chinese Charge d'Affaires Ms Pang Chunxue said the CPEC is one of the most successful projects of the Belt and Road Initiative. She said that the successes achieved under the CPEC would not have been possible without the joint efforts of the leadership of both the countries.

She said she is inspired and encouraged by the Prime Minister's commitment in promoting the CPEC. 

She said Pakistan and China will continue to move forward to promote the high quality development of the project.

Addressing the ceremony, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said CPEC is a manifestation of the vision of Chinese President Xi Jinping and our leader Muhammad Nawaz Sharif under which we transformed Pakistan China relations from geo-political to geo-economics.

He said CPEC is also a manifestation of time-tested strategic cooperative partnership between the two iron brothers; Pakistan and China.

Ahsan Iqbal said China Pakistan Economic Corridor project is a game changer project which will not only usher in a new era of development in Pakistan but also a project of regional connectivity. 

He said today projects, being carried out under the 29 billion dollars portfolio of CPEC, have been either completed or under the process of completion.

The Minister regretted that during the past four years of the previous government, the CPEC was obstructed and baseless propaganda was fomented against Chinese companies and businessmen. However, we succeeded in restoring the trust of the Chinese companies and entrepreneurs during the past one year.

Ahsan Iqbal said the incumbent government, during its one year, also completed scores of projects pertaining to water and power, and maintenance of Gwadar Port which were shelved by the previous government.

PM’s message

Shehbaz Sharif has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Pakistan and China on the completion of 10 years of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

In a message of felicitation, he congratulated the leadership and people of the two countries saying that Pakistan and China are iron brothers, and CPEC is a new chapter in this time-tested and evergreen strategic cooperative partnership.

The Prime Minister said the CPEC is also a manifestation of the vision "Development for All" of China's great leader Xi Jinping and our Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

He said the Belt and Road Initiative is also manifestation of President Xi Jinping's philosophy of peace, friendship, economic partnership and coexistence. He said CPEC is also President Xi Jinping's gift to the people of Pakistan.

The Prime Minister regretted that CPEC was obstructed for four years, and baseless allegations were leveled against our great friend China. He said the enemies of CPEC are enemies of development, peace and prosperity in Pakistan and the region, and they do not want that our people get rid of poverty.

He said we are accelerating the pace of CPEC, which is a game changer project to eradicate poverty, unemployment and economic slump.

The Prime Minister invited India to take advantage of the benefits of CPEC instead of creating hurdles in its way. He said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will also benefit Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia and the entire region.

He said it is not just a project with objectives of improvement in road, rail, port and air routes, but also a great plan for health, education, skill development and partnership in the development process. He said CPEC is a beautiful plan of connectivity of not only the regions, but also the hearts of people. It is a game changer project of economic regionalization in current era of globalization.

The Prime Minister said CPEC is also a journey for lifting up the living standard of the people of Pakistan, and providing them an environment of peace after bringing them out of poverty. He said CPEC is a tool of cementing bilateral relations of Pakistan and China and the beginning of a new era of mutual partnership. It also includes projects ranging from water supply to education, technical training and skill development.

Shehbaz Sharif said construction of nine Special Economic Zones across the country under CPEC will facilitate technology transfer, industrial collaboration and increase local production.

He said inclusion of capacity building of National Disaster Management Authority and proactive measures for prevention of natural calamities are also part of the CPEC. It also includes joint ventures for agricultural development that will also ensure food security in the country.