ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a project of national importance which showed confidence of the Chinese President and people in the leadership and policies of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
“It is the responsibility of all political parties to demonstrate maturity and support the project in the larger national interest as the enemies don’t want Pakistan to become an Asian tiger,” he said
He said the government had decided to arrange a briefing on the CPEC for the parliamentary leaders of political parties after the return of Prime Minister from abroad.
“There will be no compromise on transparency,” he added.
About his recent visit to Washington to attend World Bank and IMF meetings, he said that he attended 32 meetings, including two meetings with rating agencies.
“The meetings were highly successful, where economic policies of the government were lauded. We have implemented policies in 20 months instead of three years while our economic indicators are improving,” he remarked.
Dar said he would visit Baku (Azerbaijan) next month to attend Asian Development Bank (ADB) meeting, where bank’s core projects, including Jamshoro project, would be discussed. He expressed the hope that discussions with the ADB officials would be beneficial for the country.
Regarding the 7th IMF review meeting, he said it would be held on May 1-10 in Dubai.
Expressing grief and sorrow over the loss of life of 876 people in Nepal and 38 in India in Saturday’s earthquake, the minister said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to send relief goods, which would be dispatched as soon the Khatmandu airport becomes functional.
The Press conference was also attended by Secretary Finance Dr Waqar Masood Khan, Advisor Finance Ministry Rana Asad Amin and Chairman EOBI Muhammed Sualeh Faruqui and senior government officials.
