PM Shehbaz Sharif Invites India to Benefit from CPEC

In a statement marking the 10th anniversary of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited long-standing adversary India to leverage the benefits of the substantial CPEC infrastructure project instead of posing obstructions.

Emphasizing the project’s importance, he pointed out that Iran, Afghanistan, the Middle East, and the broader region benefit from this large-scale development initiative.

“CPEC beautifully symbolizes a plan that connects not just regions and territories, but also the hearts of people,” the statement from the Prime Minister’s Office quoted him as saying.

Prime Minister Shehbaz pledged to accelerate the development rate, indicating that CPEC isn’t just about enhancing the transport infrastructure—it also aims to uplift areas like healthcare, education, and skill development, focusing on public involvement.

Describing CPEC as a transformative force for the entire region, the Prime Minister stated that the project would positively affect the regional standard of living.

He commended the leadership and citizens of Pakistan and China on achieving a decade of CPEC. This milestone signifies a new phase of the enduring and trusted strategic cooperative alliance between the two “iron brothers”.

The Prime Minister celebrated the project as a brilliant testament to the vision of “development for all” by Chinese leader Xi Jinping and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif.

He framed the Belt and Road initiative as a manifestation of Chinese President Xi’s vision of peace, friendship, and economic collaboration.

Regrettably, he added, the previous government’s four-year term was marked by creating unnecessary roadblocks for the project and baseless accusations against a valuable ally like China.

“CPEC’s detractors are opposing peace, progress, and prosperity in Pakistan and the region as they do not wish to alleviate poverty in the country,” he added.

CPEC: Enhancing Bilateral Ties and Local Production

CPEC, according to him, has ushered in a fresh era of collaborative partnership between Pakistan and China, strengthening their bilateral ties.

The Prime Minister outlined the vast scope of CPEC, mentioning its various initiatives spanning from water supply to education and technical training.

With the development of nine Special Economic Zones (SEZs), he anticipates a technology transfer to Pakistan that could boost local production.

The Prime Minister also drew attention to the project’s impact on the operational efficiency of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the early warning system for natural calamities, given their part in CPEC.

He further noted that CPEC has integrated agriculture-related projects to safeguard food security.