Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday on 10-year celebrations of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) mega project asked the neighboring country India to become beneficiary of CPEC instead of creating obstacles in its way. “Keeping in view the widespread scope of the mega project, Iran, Afghanistan, Middle East and the whole region would also benefit from CPEC,” he added. Premier Shehbaz Sharif said that CPEC is a beautiful plan to connect not only regions and areas but also people’s hearts. The prime minister also vowed to expedite the development progress by twofold. He said it was not only the project of improvements in road, rail, sea ports and air routes, but also a great plan for health, education, skill development and participation in the development process.

Terming it a game changer project for the whole region, the prime minister said CPEC would help improving the life standards of the people of the region. PM Sharif congratulated the leadership and people of Pakistan and China on 10 years completion of the mega project of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The prime minister said CPEC was a new chapter of the evergreen and trusted strategic cooperative partnership between the iron brothers China and Pakistan. He said CPEC was a tremendous example of the great Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Quid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s vision of “development for all”.

 “The Belt and Road initiative is the manifestation of the Chinese President Xi’s vision of peace, friendship, and economic partnership.” He regretted that during the four years of previous government, hurdles were created in the way of the mega project besides levelling baseless allegation on a great friend like China. “The enemies of CPEC are against peace, development and prosperity in Pakistan and the region, as they do not want to eradicate poverty from the country,” he added.

The CPEC, he said also initiated a new era of mutual partnership and fortified the bilateral relationships between Pakistan and China. PM Shehbaz Sharif said the CPEC had a multiple projects ranging from provision of water to education, technical training an skilled based training projects. With the construction of nine Special Economic Zones (SEZs), new technology would be transferred to Pakistan besides increase in local production, he said adding that capacity increase in National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and early warning system for natural disasters have also been made part of CPEC.Similarly, he said the agriculture related projects have also been included in CPEC to ensure food security in the county.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-INP