ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Abdul Qadir Baloch on Monday told the Senate that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a project between Pakistan and China, and there was no proposal under consideration to change its name.
His statement came after concerns were raised in response to the Chinese ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui’s statement which he made last week in New Delhi saying that China was ready to change the name of CPEC. However, later China also removed his remarks offering to rename CPEC from the transcript of his speech.
Talking about the Pakistan-Iran ties, the SAFRON minister said that both the Countries enjoyed good relations and desired to further cement these by enhancing mutual trade volume to $5 billion.
The minister said that the recent statement of the Chief of Iranian armed forces Major General Muhammad Baqeri was highly inappropriate but later, the Iranian ambassador to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost clarified it. He said that the statement was misreported and presented contrary to the facts.
Balochi said that Iran also retreated the statement while the Iranian diplomat was summoned to the Foreign Office and strong protest lodged over the statement.
Talking about the recent tension on the Pak-Afghan border at Chaman, Abdul Qadir said that negotiations were underway at different levels in order to reduce the tense situation between the two Countries.
The SAFRON minister said that the issue was also discussed at a meeting between the Director General Military Operations (DGMOs) of both the Countries. He said that the tension escalated when Afghan forces opened fire at the team carrying out census duty.
Talking about the Indian government approaching the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Kulbhushan Yadav, the minister said that Pakistan had fully prepared the case and would fight it at the ICJ.
