Speakers at a seminar on Wednesday stressed the need to ensure participation of all federating units in China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and evolve a consensus among all the stakeholders in this regard for economic prosperity in the country.
“CPEC will bring industrial revolution in small provinces as well in remote regions besides providing employment opportunities to people belonging to these areas,” former Balochistan chief minister Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch said.
While addressing a “Dialogue on Future impact of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the region,” organised by National Press Club, he said that mega projects under CPEC would provide huge opportunities to the people of Balochistan and would support equitable distribution of resources in the country.
He said that his National Party of Balochistan fully supported the CPEC and the mega projects which were game changers not only for Pakistan but could benefit the entire region.
He said that Balochistan would get significant advantages from CPEC ranging from development of road links to modern airport to Gawadar port itself.
“CPEC will connect the strategically important Gawadar port with China and other growth engines within the region and at the global level, and would change the fate of the people of Balochistan,” Baloch said.
While addressing the seminar, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Farhartllah Baber urged to connect the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) through CPEC and build new road links to connect them with mega projects of national importance.
He said that both western and eastern routes are equally important for the economic growth and prosperity of the country.
He added that reservations of smaller provinces and remote regions should be removed by including them in the industrial growth and prosperity in the country.
Senator Afrasiab Khattak said that CPEC is being considered the game changer for the country and will provide regional connectivity to benefit the people of the region.
He said that the menace of terrorism and extremism can only be curtailed through distribution of resources and provision of equal development opportunities to the people.
He said that democracy and sanctity of constitution is the only way to tackle the challenges currently being faced by the country.
Senator Jamaludin Bolaidi said that people have a lot of hope from CPEC and there is a need to give equal opportunity of development and prosperity to all the provinces.
Spokesman of Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Barrister Masroor Shah said that all the issues should be resolved in accordance with the constitution.
He added that CPEC is a huge opportunity for economic development and priority should be given to smaller provinces and remote areas of the country.
