ISLAMABAD: Terming the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a reality, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal said on Wednesday said that both Pakistan and China were committed to materialise the dream of an economic corridor at any cost which was beneficial for both the countries, as well as the entire region and the world.
While talking to the media after delivering a key-note address at the Pakistan-Afghanistan CARs Trade Summit (PACTS) he said, “The ghastly incidents like Quetta blast cannot reverse or delay this important initiative taken by Pak-China leadership. The enemies would be defeated.”
He said that the development work was in progress at a fast pace. He added that there would be no role back or delay in its implementation. He also pointed out that the rapid pace of work on the projects under CPEC had been acknowledged by the Chinese experts as the pace of development was faster than the projects in China.
Responding to a question about the involvement of India’s RAW in the Quetta blast, he said, “The investigation into the incident is under progress and those involved in this heinous crime will be brought to justice.”
He also said that there was a need to be more vigilant and alert after this incident, adding, “We have to create unity among our ranks to frustrate such conspiracies.” He said, “We should not be discouraged after Quetta incident as our enemies may make more such attempts but these incidents strengthen our resolve to get rid of the menace of terrorism.”
He said, “We are in the state of war and we have to foster internal unity to completely defeat terrorism.” He said that Pakistan would emerge as the fastest growing economy after defeating the militants.
The minister said that CPEC had drawn the attention of the world community towards Pakistan. He added that this project would not only connect Pakistan and China but also would provide connectivity between China and Central Asia and beyond this region.
He said that Asia would be the hub of the future economic growth as China, Central Asia and South Asia were considered engines of economic growth. About the importance of Gwadar Port, he said, it was important for landlocked countries of Central Asia which were interest to set up cold storages and processing zones for their products in this city.
He said, “Our future generations would reap the fruit of better economic growth and foreign direct investment in the country.” He added that Pakistan was rising and no one would be allowed to create hindrance in the way of development and progress.
