By Muskan Naveed ISLAMABAD, Feb. 24 (INP-WealthPK) Renowned economist and Principal of National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Dr Ashfaque Hassan Khan said IMF is a bad choice for Pakistan in the current changing geostrategic environment and the best way out and alternative to IMF was China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Talking to WealthPk, Dr. Khan said, “In the current changing geostrategic environment, IMF is a bad choice for Pakistan. CPEC is an alternative to IMF. The regional framework of CPEC is designed to promote connectivity, construction and investment opportunities along with economic integration, improvement in trade relations and human development. This ambitious project will lead to industrial growth, which will further boost Pakistan’s economic position through attaining self-sufficiency and boosting exports. China has been an avid supporter of Pakistan and it is upon us to correctly utilize the Chinese support”. The seasoned economist acknowledged the slow pace of CPEC and proposed strict monitoring to ensure correct utilization of China’s support. Dr. Khan suggested Pakistan should ensure that its commitment to the regional and local economic prosperity is on a par with China’s. “Many Chinese firms are interested in investing in Pakistan; however, it is upon the incumbent government to ensure that the Chinese firms get a conducive environment by making the special economic zones (SEZs) under the CPEC program fully functional”. Dr. Khan also noted a shift in Prime Minister Imran Khan’s approach to CPEC in light of his recent visit to China. During his visit, Prime Minister Khan met with various state-owned and private firms in Beijing to update himself on CPEC status and to explore further investment potentials. The leading economist also informed WealthPK that the prime minister had called upon various executives and previous ambassadors to China to design a game plan for operation of the Chinese support. Dr Khan said given the current commitment of Prime Minister Imran Khan to CPEC, the Pakistani economy can be expected to show positive changes soon. He said Pakistan’s economic situation was worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic, which diverted the incumbent government’s attention from the economy to the pandemic; however, it did manage to become a role model for the international community through its adroit handling of the pandemic.