IN a significant development that will go a long way to fast track work on the multibillion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, Beijing and Islamabad have agreed on formation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee for effective oversight and monitoring of the mega project. National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and Chairman of the Chinese National People’s Congress (NPC) Li Zhanshu took the decision during their virtual meeting on Wednesday and directed Secretariats of their respective Parliaments to take necessary steps for constitution of the Parliamentary Committee.
The development once again signifies the importance that both the countries are according to the CPEC, a flagship project of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visionary Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The platform, we understand, will bring the parliamentarians from both the countries further close to each other. Inputs from both the sides will help further expand the scope of the CPEC which is proving to be a lifeline for the economic development of Pakistan. The project has resulted in improved and state-of-the-art road infrastructure across the country. We will suggest that the parliamentary panel should especially focus on the early operationalization of Special Economic Zones and shifting of Chinese industries to Pakistan.
This is a must if Pakistan really wants to move forward on the path of sustainable development and create job opportunities to its burgeoning population. One project that is facing delay is that of the upgradation of rail infrastructure from Karachi to Peshawar. Completion of this project is important to promote trade activities in the region and we expect the authorities concerned in both the countries will remove the hurdles in its way for early commencement of work on it. The close and strategic ties, and deep-rooted friendship between Pakistan and China serve the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, and has contributed to peace, stability and development.
The enduring partnership between Pakistan and China remains unaffected by the vicissitudes of the regional and international developments and continues to move from strength to strength. Whilst talking to Asad Qaiser, Li Zhanshu once again won the hearts of Pakistani nation by vowing to stand by Pakistan for its defence and territorial integrity. This reassurance at the top level is really very heartening and we are confident that both the countries will continue to work closely to foil the evil conspiracies of the enemy against the CPEC and regional integration & development.
