ISLAMABAD, Dec 31 (NNN-APP) – Pakistani Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, said yesterday that, Pakistani and Chinese staff of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, have joined hands to work hard with dedication as a team, to make the project a success story.
Launched in 2013, CPEC links Pakistan’s Gwadar Port with Kashgar, in north-west China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, to highlight energy, transport and industrial cooperation.
Speaking at an award ceremony for outstanding Pakistani staff of CPEC projects, in the year 2022, Iqbal said that, after its inception in 2013, CPEC has changed the international community’s impression of Pakistan, from a hotbed of terrorism to a land worthy of massive investment in construction, bringing in multi-billion U.S. dollars in investment in the country.
“CPEC opened the door for billions of U.S. dollars to flow into Pakistan, as foreign and domestic investment,” he said.
The minister said that, because of CPEC, Pakistan could end 16 to 18 hours of load shedding, by adding more than 5,000 megawatts of energy projects within only several years.
“Under cooperation with China, we developed energy projects in all generation areas, including coal, hydropower, wind, solar and renewable energy projects, which diversified Pakistan’s energy portfolio,” he added.
Iqbal said that, CPEC also brought a connectivity revolution in Pakistan, and a network of motorways and highways was constructed across Pakistan to provide connectivity within Pakistan and to enhance connectivity between Pakistan and China.
Calling the staff “the heroes of CPEC,” the minister said, the Chinese staff who left home to dedicate themselves here, and the Pakistani staff who work day by day, all deserve the great compliment and appreciation.
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Nong Rong, said, it was a year that witnessed the deepening of all-around cooperation between the two countries, and despite challenges of the global economic downturn and severe flood in Pakistan, the CPEC projects have made achievements.
He said that, CPEC’s Pakistani staff are not only the constructors and participants, but also the witnesses and promoters of a brilliant history.
“China’s and Pakistan’s cooperation will always provide a broad stage for people to display their talents and realise personal values,” he said, hoping that, both countries’ staff will cherish the opportunity, contribute to the construction of CPEC, with practical actions and continue to consolidate the ironclad friendship between China and Pakistan.– NNN-APP
