PM pledges to complete CPEC projects

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday pledged to complete timely projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The premier pledged to continue work on CPEC projects during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Mr. Nong Rong who met him here.

The pace of work on CPEC projects during the PTI government has been slow.

However, the PTI government is taking a keen interest to execute all CPEC projects in time.

These projects will boost the economy of the country.

The next important phase is to install industrial units in special economic zones under CPEC.

Pakistan wants China to relocate its industry to Pakistan in a bid to start industrialization.

China has a long history of industrialization.

The purpose is to industrialize the country increase exports of the country. Pakistan has been a lot of effort but exports have been static during the last few years.

Despite increasing, these exports have witnessed a decline with the passage of time.

These exports stood at $25 billion during the PPP government that dropped to $19 billion during PML-N tenure.

The Prime minister during a meeting said that CPEC was a transformational project.

He urged both the countries to work closer to make CPEC a High-Quality Demonstration Project of BRI.

He reiterated the Government’s resolve to complete the CPEC projects timely.

Two sides discussed China-Pakistan cooperation in different areas like trade, commerce, and investment, people-to-people contacts, and mining and natural resources.

In the context of the regional situation, the Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s stance and said that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Imran Khan also expressed resolve to back efforts to ensure a negotiated political settlement.

During the meeting, both sides expressed views on China-Pakistan bilateral relations.

They also discussed CPEC, vaccines, and mutual cooperation in other areas of mutual interests.

During a meeting, Ambassador Nong Rong also conveyed the cordial greetings expressed by President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. Rong also conveyed felicitations on Pakistan’s Independence Day.

The Prime Minister warmly welcomed and reciprocated the Chinese leadership’s greetings.

Premier Imran Khan also lauded China’s consistent support to Pakistan in its fight against COVID-19 which included the provision of vaccines including under the COVAX facility.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Pakistan and China were ‘iron brothers’. He expressed resolve not to allow hostile forces to weaken this ‘iron-clad friendship.