ISLAMABAD - While felicitating the nation on 65th anniversary of Pak-China diplomatic relations, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal said on Wednesday that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework would not only improve Pakistan’s economy but would also strengthen its defence.
Giving an interview to APP, he said, “The entire nation will have to play its role in the implementation of this vital initiative by exhibiting complete unity and solidarity, and thus giving a message to the world that Pakistan has now become economically vibrant and politically stable country.”
Ahsan asked the foreign investors to invest their money in Pakistan, as there was complete political stability in the country and conducive environment for foreign investment.
He said Pak-China friendship had become a model for the world, adding, “China has been supporting Pakistan unconditionally for the last 65 years, while Pakistan has reciprocated to its time-tested friend’s gestures at all the fora positively,” the minister said, adding, “That’s why, friendship between the two countries is considered higher than Himalayas, deeper than sea and sweeter than honey.”
Ahsan further said although both the countries were very close on the political front, but the present government, after coming to power, transformed this friendship into an economic partnership.
“Pakistan, he said, “had become number one country for the Chinese investment in this region, owing to CPEC initiative. “The economic relations between the two countries are progressing at a fast pace and owing to CPEC framework, these relations are now touching new heights,” he added.
The minister hoped that Pak-China friendship would help resolve energy crisis and create employment opportunities besides connecting the four provinces and remote areas.
Replying to a question, he said, “The CPEC will not only change geo-economic situation of the region, but will also place Pakistan in a key position with regard to South Asia, Central Asia and China.”
Ahsan further said that due to improvement in the economic situation, Pakistan would be able to strengthen its defence capabilities. “That is why, enemies of the country are hatching conspiracies against this project of vital importance,” he reminded.
To a query, he replied that it was a collective responsibility of political forces to make Pakistan economically stronger since economically strong Pakistan would be really independent and looked with respect in the comity of nations.
The minister asserted that it was high time that country’s political forces demonstrated maturity and unity, because only through political stability, Pakistan would become an Asian tiger.
“We should desist from political point scoring as the political stability is a key to foreign investment,” he added.
Ahsan added that being a strong and democratic country, Pakistan should give a message to the world that there was a strong democratic system in the country.
“The message that should particularly be sent to the world is that Pakistan is progressing on the economic front for the last three years,” he added.
He concluded by saying that the images of protests and boycotts by political parties, shown on world media, created a bad impression in the minds of foreign investors about investment climate of Pakistan.
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