CPEC to usher in era of progress: FM Qureshi

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi says government is fully committed to the completion of all China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects and initiatives on time.

Addressing CPEC forum in Islamabad this afternoon, he said CPEC is a flagship project of Road and Belt Initiative which is a sprawling concept of trade and connectivity.

Foreign Minister said first phase of CPEC focused on infrastructure development and energy generation while in second phase industrial cooperation and socio economic development are our highest priorities.

The Minister said we have set up special economic zones that will help meet these objectives. He said cooperation in agriculture between the two countries is increasing at a fast pace.

He said CPEC will benefit all marginalized areas of Pakistan, especially Balochistan. He said Chinese projects are commercial and public oriented.

The Minister said cooperation in science and technology with China is also important. He said CPEC is the beginning of a new dawn that will usher in a new era of progress and prosperity. He said people to people contacts between Pakistan and China are increasing by CPEC.

He said the world is now looking towards East, including Pakistan. He said new partnerships are emerging in the region and in this context Pakistan is interested in the investment of other countries in CPEC too.

Foreign Minister said during his recent visit to the UK, he also talked about CPEC and the government will welcome British investment in this important project.