Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal says mega projects worth billions of rupees have been completed in one year which indicates commitment of the incumbent government for taking Pak-China friendship to new heights.
He was addressing a curtain raiser ceremony held in Islamabad on Thursday to mark the 10- year celebrations of China Pakistan Economic Corridor and upcoming 12th Joint Cooperation Committee of Pakistan and China.
Besides others, Chinese Charge d’ Affaires to Pakistan, Pang Chunxue, Chinese state owned enterprises and representatives from various ministries attended the ceremony.
Ahsan Iqbal said CPEC enters a significant milestone as it celebrates a decade of remarkable achievements in fostering economic growth, infrastructure development, and regional connectivity.
He said under the 10-year celebrations, several events are being conducted by the CPEC Secretariat in collaboration with the Planning Ministry which includes international Conference, academic sessions, cultural shows and others across the country.
Ahsan Iqbal said this year also marks the successful decade of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its flagship CPEC project.
Criticizing the previous government which delicately delayed the CPEC projects, he said the people of Pakistan will never forget the contribution of China to make the CPEC successful.
He also appreciated the contribution of Chinese officials, workers to execute the CPEC during this whole journey which started from 2013 and still continues.
It is worth mentioning that since the government came into power in April last year, CPEC has been revived which remained halted by the previous government.
Several projects of power, infrastructure, water and others have been completed in Gwadar which are ready for the ground breaking, said the Minister, who believed that if such projects can be completed in record time of six months then why it got delayed for four years.
In his remarks, the Charge de’ Affair, Ms. Pang Chunxue, emphasized that China-Pakistan relationship has profound historical roots, solid public support, and strong practical needs.
She said under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping, China is steadfastly advancing the process of Chinese modernization.
She said China will provide new opportunities for the development of countries including Pakistan, with new accomplishments in Chinese modernization.
She further stated that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the BRI proposed by President Xi Jinping, and the 10th anniversary of the launch of the CPEC.
The Chinese Charge d’ Affaires said with the joint efforts of both sides, CPEC has achieved fruitful outcomes covering areas of industry, agriculture, IT, disaster prevention and mitigation, which made significant contributions to promoting Pakistan’s economic and social development, upgrading Pakistan’s infrastructure, improving Pakistani people’s well-being, enhancing people to people contact and deepening regional connectivity.
