CPEC: China dispels FT's ill-intentioned report
Statement adds that report contributor has total ignorance and neglect of the CPEC.
(Dunya News) – Taking notice of ill-intentioned reports based on distorted and misquoted information, Chinese embassy on Monday dispelled FT’s articles claiming Islamabad is rethinking its role in Xi’s belt and road plan.
The press release states both Pakistan and China view China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a mutually beneficial project and both govts will carry it forward according to the needs of Pakistan and development of Pakistan.
Addressing FT directly, the statement adds that report contributor has total ignorance and neglect of the CPEC or China-Pakistan traditional partnership.
Foreign Office on Monday said that Pakistani leadership has conveyed to Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a national priority for the government.
A declaration issued by the Foreign Office on Monday after Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid an official visit to Pakistan from September 7-9 stated that Pakistan remains committed to the successful implementation of CPEC and there was complete consensus on the future trajectory of CPEC between Pakistan and China.
It stated that the two sides agreed to work together towards implementation of the ongoing projects and agreed to expand CPEC to new areas of cooperation including socio-economic development; poverty alleviation, anti-corruption, agricultural cooperation and industrial development as per the needs and priorities of the government of Pakistan.
Earlier today, Advisor to Prime Minister (PM) on Commerce and Industry Abdul Razzak Dawood thoroughly rejected the remarks attributed to him and accused UK-based newspaper of misquoting his statement.
Dawood stated he would soon issue an explanatory statement on the controversy surrounding his interview with Financial Times.
On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday termed alleged freezing of CPEC-related [China Pakistan Economic Corridor] by the federal govt injustice to the nation.
Terming CPEC project a game changer in the region, the former Punjab CM urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) govt to restrain themselves from doing so.
The Sharif Jr went on to say that Pakistan would benefit immensely from CPEC as it would expedite industry and agricultural-related projects in the country.
“The previous government did a bad job negotiating with China on CPEC — they didn’t do their homework correctly and didn’t negotiate correctly so they gave away a lot,” Abdul Razak Dawood, the Pakistani member of cabinet responsible for commerce, textiles, industry and investment told Financial Times.
“Chinese companies received tax breaks, many breaks and have an undue advantage in Pakistan; this is one of the things we’re looking at because it’s not fair that Pakistan companies should be disadvantaged,” he said.
