GWADAR: Prime Minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan said on Monday that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a game changer for the entire region and other countries can also participate in this mega project.
Addressing the ceremony after inaugurating free trade zone and expo in Gwadar, the premier said today is the day of realization of the vision of Chinese President Xi Jinping and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
He went on to say that CPEC is becoming a reality today and this project is a gift from Chinese president for the present and coming generations. The communication system is being harmonized with the future requirements as per Chinese president vision, he held.
Railway is being modernized and upgraded and factor of elimination of environmental pollution is being taken into account in these projects, he said. China has given durable energy projects to Pakistan, he added. Project will generate connectivity with central Asia, he remarked.
He held the port can not become functional without free zone. Gwadar port interconnects countries of the region with each other.
He remarked Gwadar project will bring development in Balochistan besides generating opportunities of employment.
He underlined that general election will be held in July in the country. We expect PML-N will again come to power. The pace of work on projects will be accelerated to achieve set targets, he added.
He stated the leadership of Balochistan will have to resolve the problems facing the province on its own. Balochistan government should work out planning for development of coastal areas. We will extend cooperation to Balochistan government in this regard.
Interior minister Ahsan Iqbal said Gwadar is becoming base of peace and prosperity in the region. It is becoming a big business hub. The countries of the region can together eliminate poverty, unemployment and backwardness. Such areas were connected with each other through CPEC which had no connectivity with each other earlier.
Chinese president perceived first of all that 21st century is century of development. Therefore, we have to take country forward and more forward in this century. Gwadar will not only bring development in Balochistan but also in Pakistan and the entire region.
He went on to say the development in Gwadar is manifestation of commitment of Pakistan and China for CPEC. The relationship between Pakistan and China has been changed into strategic partnership due to CPEC, he underlined.
