CPEC to connect cultures, continents, boost economies: Mushahid
Mushahid Hussain said CPEC will boost regional economies and improve connectivity among countries.
ISLAMABAD (APP) - Chairman of Pakistan China Institute (PCI) Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) would connect cultures and continents, boost regional economies and improve connectivity among countries.
He was speaking at a ceremony arranged by PCI to launch an initiative “Friends of Silk Road” here on Thursday as platform of the people to bring together different segments of society, highlighting importance of cooperation between Pakistan, China and other regional countries.
He said Pakistan was the first among the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries to launch forum of “Friends of Silk Road” to connect local communities, parliamentarians, media, business, opinion leaders, youth, women, professionals, civil society, students and scholars.
“The forum will provide both a better understanding and information about benefits of the fruits of progress and development offered by the numerous opportunities arising out of the BRI through CPEC.”
“Thanks to CPEC, there is not only a turnaround in the image of Pakistan but our role is emerging as a major hub of regional connectivity.” He also highlighted the importance of CPEC for women, saying that CPEC would be helpful in empowering the women of Pakistan.
The Chairman of PCI, who also chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate, said that the “Friends of Silk Road” was a major initiative, given Pakistan’s pivotal role in CPEC as well as Pakistan’s long-standing relationship with China, as an all weather friend and iron brothers.
The Chinese delegation at the event was headed by Gao Yunlong, who is the Vice Chairman of the China People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
He said that China and Pakistan’s all weather friendship was based on public support and mutual trust. “Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Xi Jinping held a meeting, after which a consensus was formed in building a closer community, which will set the course for future bilateral relations.”
Talking about the importance of CPEC, he said that CPEC was the flagship project of the BRI, and had yielded many positive results. “Out of 22 cooperative projects under CPEC, 9 have been completed and 13 are under construction. Pakistan has shown to be a strong supporter and active player for the projects under CPEC, which is bringing benefits to its people.”
Leader of the House in the Senate, Syed Shibli Faraz said that CPEC was unique when it came to infrastructure development. “Unfortunately, the benefits of CPEC weren’t understood better before. Now that we are in government, we have come to realize that CPEC will be extremely beneficial for small industries and businesses.” He said, “through CPEC, we want Pakistan to benefit in other sectors, diversify exports, especially in engineering goods, which are only 1% of our exports.”
The speeches were followed by a roundtable discussion, which featured important personalities including Deputy Chief of Mission of the Chinese Embassy Zhao Lijian, Project Director of CPEC in the Ministry of Planning Hassan Daud Butt, Vice President of the China Peace and Development Foundation Li Rougo and Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence Production Senator Lt Gen ® Abdul Qayyum. Parliamentarians from the government and the opposition, civil society, think tanks, business and opinion leaders attended the event.
