GILGIT, Pakistan: No foreign power can undermine China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project as it has the ownership of 200 million people of the country, Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Professor Ahsan Iqbal said Wednesday.
Chairing the first session of two days Seminar titled “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor – Harbinger of Prosperity” in Gilgit, he said there is absolutely no threat to the country, its system or the CPEC.
He said the enemies could never succeed in their nefarious designs to sabotage the game changer project. The country is well conversant with the intentions of CPEC enemies and government knows about its duties in this regard.
CPEC was the project of Pakistan and people of the country were its real owners. Political stability, religious harmony among various segments of the society was imperative for the progress of a country.
He said persistent changes in governments and policies discourage the investors and investments in any country. Political musical chair system breaks continuity of policies in any country.
The investors of Dasu and Bhasha dam have invested in the country for decades.
Lauding Gilgit-Baltistan government for organizing such conference, he said the country needed to follow the economic route of China.
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Hafiz Hafizur Rehman said the CPEC was the project of the nation.
Addressing the seminar, he said progress and prosperity of Gilgit-Baltistan is linked with China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Criticizing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said Modi tried to divert the attention from Kashmir by hurling baseless accusations on Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan.
He said the people of Gilgit-Baltistan had snatched freedom from the Dogar rulers. The whole Gilgit-Baltistan was against the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MNA Asad Umar said CPEC project would benefit the whole country including Fata, Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Nobody was against the CPEC project, he said adding that opposition parties were favoring the CPEC. Difference of opinion in the country was on setting up of economic zones and route of CPEC.
Former MNA Umar Ayub said former President Ayub Khan had constructed Karakoram Highway and established Heavy Electrical Complex, Heavy Mechanical Industry etc.
Gwadar would help provide economic routes to China and fulfilling energy need of China.
He said the Indian spending of $70 billion per annum on defence was against Pakistan. Opposition parties have favored the CPEC project.
Deputy Chairman Senate Abdul Ghafor Haideri, Senator Mushahid Hussein Sayed were also present.
Source: APP
