CPEC: Empowering Pakistan's Prosperity and Progress
China expresses its satisfaction with the consensus reached in Pakistan concerning the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multi-billion-dollar initiative, according to the country's top diplomat.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, in an interview with The Nation, emphasized the positive progress of CPEC and the strong partnership between both nations, stating, "China is content with our collaboration, and there are no ambiguities between our countries."
Recently, a webinar brought together representatives from all major political parties in Balochistan, who lauded China's role in combatting the global pandemic and supporting Pakistan during the Covid-19 crisis.
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing, pledged unwavering support to the party leaders, receiving appreciation from Balochistan representatives regarding the CPEC's development.
Pakistan dispelled rumors of a slowdown in CPEC activities, with Chairman of the CPEC Authority, Asim Saleem Bajwa, confirming that not only has the pace of project execution increased recently, but groundwork for the next phase has also commenced.
Bajwa, who also serves as the special assistant to the prime minister on information and broadcasting, highlighted the expansion of CPEC's scope, including hydropower projects, special economic zones, and agricultural initiatives.
The Pakistan Economic Survey 2019-20 revealed plans for nine Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under the CPEC umbrella, promising substantial employment opportunities and technological advancements.
The survey noted that CPEC projects, in collaboration with China, are progressing rapidly, emphasizing that CPEC is a long-term endeavor forged through extensive negotiations.
Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui emphasized the transformative impact of CPEC on Pakistan's development, bridging gaps in energy, infrastructure, industrialization, and job creation. She underscored the project's regional connectivity and prosperity benefits and reaffirmed the strong strategic partnership between Pakistan and China.
Farooqui provided updates on power projects related to the corridor, noting that twelve have either been completed or were under construction, with a total capacity of 7,240 megawatts and an investment of $12.4 billion. She added that an additional nine power projects, with a capacity of 6,390 megawatts, were in the early stages of development.