Senator Mushahid says China has stood by Pakistan in its difficult times
Info Minister Rashid says CPEC a game changing project not only for Pakistan but for entire region
Pakistan-China Institute Chairman Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Tuesday warned Iran against backlash if it allowed India to build multi-billion-dollar Chabahar Port in southeast Iran.
Addressing the first session of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Media Forum, Hussain told Iran that Indian-funded Chabahar Port would be seen by Pakistan as a security threat hence it would not be acceptable.
“When the entire world had left Iran in isolation, it was Pakistan which refused to follow the US diktat and it stood by Iran in its difficult times. India announced to part ways with Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline in 2006 when the then US ambassador in India asked the government to choose between Nuclear Cooperation and IPI,” Mushahid said, adding that India immediately backed off and not only left IPI but it also sacked Mani Shankar, the then petroleum minister.
“India left IPI but it remains a part of TAPI project which has full support of the western governments,” he added.
Mushahid said that on the other hand, China stood by Pakistan in its difficult times and that CPEC was a game changing project not only for Pakistan but for the entire region.
“One Belt One Road project is the one which would help all countries of the region to develop along with China. It reflects a new vision, new paradigm and a new endeavour,” he added.
Addressing the gathering, Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong said that China and Pakistan are all weather friends and strategic partners. “All weather means, no matter if there is sunshine or cold, if it is windy or stormy, our two brotherly nations would stand together and support each other. This is of special significance against the background of the global situation,” he said.
He said China had always pursued a path of peaceful development. “We have the confidence and ability to sustain a medium high growth rate. For the year 2015, China’s economy is expected to grow at around 7%. We contribute to over 30% of the global growth. In the next five years, we will pursue innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development, focused on implementing the strategy of innovation-driven growth”.
He said the Chinese economy was linked closely with the global economy and asserted that China would continue to be one of the major economies in the world.
“We will also ensure people’s well-being and improve their living standards across the board. We will remain a major driving force for the global economy,” he added.
He said that CPEC is a major and pilot project of the Belt and Road Initiative.
“First, CPEC is a vision. CPEC is an important consensus reached between our leaders and governments and has the full support of our two peoples. It will strengthen the time-tested China-Pakistan friendship, bring our two brotherly countries closer and lay a solid foundation for building a China-Pakistan community of shared destiny,” he said.
“It is often asked when the CPEC will be completed. I believe CPEC is a process rather than just one project. Building CPEC needs to be based on scientific research and designed by short, mid and long-term planning,” the ambassador said. “As the old Chinese proverb says,” he continued, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” He also thanked the government of Pakistan for attaching great importance to the safety of Chinese personnel and institutes in Pakistan. “I believe the Pakistani side will continue to take all the necessary measures in this regard,” he said.
CPEC A GAME CHANGER:
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Pervaiz Rashid said on the occasion that CPEC was a game changer as it would not only transform the destiny of the people of Pakistan but that of the entire region too.
“The CPEC Media Forum comprising journalists from both Pakistan and China,” he said, “would help create awareness among the people and help make it a success story.”
He said there was no ambiguity on the corridor’s western route as work on its construction was in full swing.
The forum also passed some resolutions in its concluding session.