- French envoy calls on army chief, discusses security, other issues
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is truly a harbinger of economic development, peace and prosperity in the region.
Addressing a function on the CPEC Logistics here on Wednesday, he said CPEC was also affirmation of Pakistan’s efforts for a peaceful and prosperous region. He said unlike some other countries of South Asia, Pakistan believes in focusing energies on peace and inclusiveness, rather than divisive competition.
The army chief said that CPEC would bring increasing economic integration among regional economies and reduce the development gap within various regions of Pakistan. He said that Chinese investment in various fields, including energy, infrastructure, Gwadar Port, and special economic zones can lay the foundation of a fast development Pakistan, if the opportunity is optimally utilised.
Commenting on prevailing security situation in Pakistan, he said the country was much safer today than before as peace has been restored in tribal and adjoining areas. He said normalcy was returning to Pakistan’s economic hub of Karachi. Similarly, the law and order situation has improved significantly in Balochistan and there was great focus on socio-economic development in the province.
He said that Pakistan was making steady, but sure-footed progress to get rid of the menace of terrorism and extremism. Earlier, French Ambassador Martine Dorance called on General in Rawalpindi. They discussed the evolving regional security matrix and other issues of mutual interest.
