Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a new form of cooperation. “We look upon CPEC as a partnership between two governments,” he said.

 PM Abbasi was addressing the two-day CPEC Summit, organized by the Ministry of Planning and Development, kicked off at Karachi’s Bagh-i-Jinnah on Monday.

He remarked, "three years ago CPEC was unheard of and today it is known globally. The BRI initiative of Chinese President Xi is a project for generations. "Recently, we discussed security and connectivity with Afghanistan, who also recognizes CPEC as an opportunity."

"CPEC has now become a reality and two power projects under the initiative have been completed and the third one is about to be finished," he added.

Moreover, Ahsan Iqbal, federal minister for planning, said while addressing the summit about the development and progress being made in Pakistan during PML(N)’s government.

He remarked, "This event proves that Karachi is changing. This is an age of development and growth, with the speed of an electron."

"Pakistan will become a hub of development with the help of this project. We made regional connectivity a key component of our Vision2025 project," he said while talking about One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative and regarded CPEC the biggest flagship project of the OBOR initiative.

While talking on the reservations about CPEC, he said, "China extended its hand towards Pakistan when no one wanted to invest even 10 dollars. There are lobbies that are not happy with CPEC and it is not a death trap."

Iqbal addressed the apprehensions saying, "Some say China will become the East India Company; they haven't read history. China seeks partnership. There is nothing to fear for Pakistani businesses, this is propaganda."

He ended saying, "Love live China-Pak friendship."

Besides PM Abbasi, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar were also present at the moment.

Furthermore, Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing also spoke at the Summit. In his address he said, “For the past 40 years, China has made every effort to develop and grow its economy. We've combined socialism and market economy to benefit people."

While about CPEC he said, “China wants to see its relationship with Pakistan serve as example for its relations with other states. We look at CPEC as a significant project. I'm proud that after five years of implementation, it has contributed to Pakistan's development."

"CPEC is not just about economic growth; we want to develop a community," he added.