LAHORE: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing has said that ouster of Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister of Pakistan has not affected China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, and instead, the project has picked up pace.
Responding to a question in a meeting with a senior journalist here on Saturday, Jing pointed out that CPEC is on schedule.
On Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, the ambassador urged both the countries to resolve their disputes amicably. He also urged Afghanistan to take advantage from CPEC and make itself stronger through trade.
On Indian allegations that CPEC is passing through the disputed territory, Jing said that India’s calms are totally unfounded. He ruled out that the project was a threat to anyone and reiterated that it will help uplift the entire region economically.
The ambassador also acknowledged Pakistan’s role in curbing terrorism and said that Pakistan has sacrificed a lot in eliminating the menace.
Defending Pakistan against US President Donald Trump’s statements that Pakistan is a terrorist safe haven, the Chinese envoy said that the security situation had improved in the country due to the counter-terrorism efforts of Pakistan.
“Previously when I was posted in Pakistan, we could not go out without armed escorts. But now, the situation is different and we can go out without security,” he added.
