Ahsan says Pak should learn from China's economic development
Pakistan
Ahsan says Pak should learn from China's economic development
ISLAMABAD (APP) - Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Friday said Pakistan should learn from China for economic and technological development.
To ensure economic development, the country should have a peaceful environment adding “we must first ensure political stability, continuity of policies, and social solidarity because economic development does not take place in an atmosphere of conflict and polarization.”
The minister made these remarks while addressing the award ceremony held in recognition of outstanding Pakistani staff of the CPEC Projects 2022 at the Chinese Embassy here.
He said that everyone thought that CPEC was an impossible mission. But people on the ground made it possible.
Highlighting the friendship between Pakistan and China, the minister said that the changes in world affairs have also brought changes in relationships. World order brings countries together and as the world order changes, the countries’ friendships also drift apart.
He said that the Pakistan and China friendship had defied all rules of international affairs and diplomacy.“There are no two countries that have phrases like iron brothers,” he added.
The minister said Pakistan and China were historically very close in terms of political relations, security cooperation, and other fields except for economic cooperation.
However, in 2013 when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited China after resuming office, the economic MoUs of $46 billion were signed between China and Pakistan to start work on the CPEC project.
The minister said that as a result of CPEC Pakistan overcame electricity shortfall and communication infrastructure also improved.
He said the purpose of CPEC was not to advance China’s business interests. The purpose of CPEC was to help Pakistan to bring its economy from an agricultural structure into an industrial structure.
Ambassador of China to Pakistan Nong Rong while addressing the award winners said that in 2022, against the challenge of global economic downturn and historical floods in Pakistan, the CPEC projects had achieved good progress.
