Army Chief General Raheel Sharif on Saturday said the country is aware of the campaign’ against China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, and vowed to complete it at all costs.
“We are acutely aware of our rivals’ campaign against CPEC,” the army chief was quoted as saying by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). However, the army chief said that the armed forces are ready to pay any price to turn this cherished dream into a reality.
The army chief said this during a visit to Panjgur in Balochistan where he inspected five under-construction roads which part of the CPEC project, and was told by officials concerned that 502 of 870 kilometers of the road network project have been completed.
“Roads will link Gwadar to the rest of the country and yield the envisioned dividend of the port and corridor to transform people’s lives and bring prosperity,” Gen Sharif said.
“The port and corridor are being built as the most strategic deep seaport in the region,” he said, commending the workers and soldiers of Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) for their bravery and ability to maintain quality in the construction of the project. He also applauded Frontier Constabulary and police for bringing about a noticeable change in the overall security situation of the province.
Paying rich tributes to the valiant people of Balochistan, the army chief expressed gratitude for their unconditional support.
“Balochistan’s potential will only be realised through the entire nation’s support for its security; a secure and peaceful environment is a must for the project,” the army chief stressed.
The Frontier Works Organisation, the construction wing of Pakistan Army, has completed 502 kilometres of the 870 kilometre road network project for linking Gwadar Port with the rest of the country.
The project encompasses construction of 870 kilometres of road. Deployment was approved in February 2014 and FWO units were mobilised on sites in March 2014. Presently 11 units are employed on various road projects in Balochistan. To date 502 kilometres of road has been completed in less than one-and-a-half year.
FWO has faced armed attacks from insurgents many times. Construction of these roads will link Gwadar Port with upcountry by multiple routes including Chaman through N-25, Dera Ismail Khan through N-50 and Indus Highway N-55.