ISLAMABAD: Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was envisioned by Prime Minister Nawaz Shairf and the Chinese leadership and it is now becoming a reality. CPEC would be beneficial not only for China and Pakistan but also for the people of whole region, he added.
Minister Dar stated this on Tuesday while meeting with Dr. Baige Zhao, Co-chairperson of RDI, the joint Pak-China Think Tank on CPEC, Ms Hongyan Zhang, Mayor of Karamay City of Xinjiang and other members of the visiting Chinese delegation.
The Minister on this occasion said signing of CPEC between Pakistan and China had paved the way of economic prosperity for three billion people in the region. He said that out of the total volume of 46 billion US dollars, projects worth 34 billion US dollars were in the private sector. We have encouraged the participation of the private sector in undertaking these projects, Finance Minister said.
The Finance Minister on this occasion referred to statements from Indian leadership and said it was frustrating to see a third country objecting to bilateral economic cooperation between China and Pakistan as it is in violation of all established norms of international economic relations.
He summarily dismissed contention by the Indian leadership that the route of the corridor was controversial. The Minister also categorically rejected Indian leaderships seven neighbours theory, describing it as totally fallacious. He said there was nothing controversial about the route of CPEC and the areas it passed through were all part of Pakistan. India he said was misunderstanding Pak-China cooperation. Dar added that CPEC was not against anyone’s interest. “War phobia can only be defeated through economic development. Peace and prosperity can be achieved with economic advancement”, Finance Minister remarked.
Dr. Baige Zhao, Co-chairperson of RDI endorsed Finance Minister’s views on CPEC and said Chinese government and Pakistan are on the same page. She agreed that undoubtedly CPEC would not only be beneficial to the people of China and Pakistan but people of the whole region.
