Zubair Qureshi
Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Khusro Bakhtiar has termed peace in Afghanistan vital for regional prosperity adding that many development opportunities have been missed out due to ongoing conflict in Afghanistan.
The Minister was addressing a seminar on Peace and Development organized by Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) in Islamabad on Thursday. Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing, President IPRI and foreign delegates were also present.
Khusro Bakhtiar stated that political solution to Afghanistan issue will bring about regional progress and development.
Pakistan is focusing on promoting cooperation in energy sector at regional level, said the minister adding Pakistan is heading towards industrial development and other countries are heavily investing in e-commerce and digital economy therefore Pakistan should also pay attention towards this end.
He underscored that Pakistan should also invest in research and development and promote other modern sectors on the pattern of China.
Talking about China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Minister said under CPEC framework other countries can become partners and make investments to the mutual benefit of all.
The present government has packed up the pace and implementation of CPEC projects and hurdles related to CPEC projects have been largely removed.
Khusro noted that the region’s trade potential is vast and Pakistan can play an important role for promotion of trade linkages between Central Asia and South Asia.
The Minister called for initiating joint ventures with private sector for sustained economic growth. He highlighted that a B2B forum has been formulated between the investors of Pakistan and China for the mutual benefit of both countries.
