SANYA: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Tuesday said regional connectivity, open trade and increased economic growth were the key to promote tolerance and deny space to extremism.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the Boao economic forum in China’s Hainan province, the prime minister said Sino-Pakistan relations found no parallel in the annals of history.
“In every sense, we are iron brothers. In our region, our friendship is the bedrock of strategic stability,” he said.
Abbasi said Pakistan was partnering with China to usher in a new era of peace and prosperity through enhanced connectivity.
“In Pakistan today, step by step, brick by brick, a brave new Asia is taking shape.” He said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) – the flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative – was fast reaching fruition and termed it an excellent example of an open, coordinated, and inclusive development paradigm that benefits all stakeholders.
He said the development of the deep seaport of Gwadar was proceeding on a fast track basis, at the southern tip of the CPEC. “On completion, it would not only serve as a transit and trans-shipment hub, but become an economic nucleus.”
Speaking on the theme of “An Open and Innovative Asia for a World of greater Prosperity”, he said as home to the majority of the world population, custodian of a large portion of its natural resources and a conduit for trade by land and sea, Asia continued to demonstrate its growing centrality to the economic order.
Describing development and security as intrinsically indivisible, the prime minister said “only by spreading the dividends of open trade and shared innovation we will be able to promote tolerance and amity and deny space to extremism.”
Abbasi maintained that President Xi’s historic Belt and Road Initiative had become a global public good, beneficial to all and was bringing equality to an unequal world. “This visionary and futuristic initiative is a win-win proposition aimed at bringing shared prosperity for all.”
“We have already begun reaping dividends of CPEC rail, road and infrastructure projects. CPEC investment and its spin off effects have generated thousands of jobs. 10,000 MW have been added to our national grid, ameliorating our chronic energy shortages.” The prime minister said establishment of several Special Economic Zones (SEZs) along highways and motorways was integral to CPEC plans, adding Pakistan aimed to offer tailored incentive packages for the SEZs.
“It is our earnest desire to see the arc of investment expands further, and to welcome entrepreneurs and investors from around the world to our SEZs.” He said connectivity remained the cornerstone of Pakistan’s plans, and was a major driving force behind its overlapping membership of regional platforms of ECO, SAARC and SCO.
“For the same reason, we have consistently supported trans-regional projects such as TAPI and CASA-1000.”
The prime minister concluded with a Chinese saying that “the man who moves mountains begins by carrying away small stones”. It is time to lift stones; it is time to move mountains, he added.
UN secretary-general calls on Abbasi
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on premier Abbasi on the sidelines of the Boao Forum.
During the meeting, the PM said the “deliberate and unprovoked” ceasefire violations by India along the LoC and the Working Boundary could escalate dangerously if not put to an end.
He also expressed deep concern at deteriorating situation in Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) and the killing spree of innocent Kashmiris by Indian occupation forces.
The prime minister told the general-secretary that Pakistan was following zero tolerance policy towards terrorism and extremism and had achieved significant success in this regard. Guterres acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts towards counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance to the Afghan refugees and the UN peacekeeping operations.
He maintained that he had been advocating the need for a serious dialogue on the Kashmir issue.
Xi-Abbasi meeting
Chinese President Xi Jinping met Abbasi in the Boao State Guesthouse and expressed his wish to complete the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects on timely basis.
Xi pointed out that China hopes to see Pakistan develop steadily and firmly supports Pakistan efforts to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and interests.
Published in Daily Times, April 11th 2018.
