ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan should learn from China for economic and technological development.

To ensure economic development, country should have peaceful environment adding “We must first ensure political stability, continuity of policies and social solidarity because economic development does not take place in an atmosphere of conflict and polarisation.

Addressing award ceremony held in recognition of outstanding Pakistani staff of CPEC projects 2022 at Chinese Embassy here he said that everyone thought that CPEC is an impossible mission. But people on ground made it possible, which is remarkable.

Highlighting friendship bond between Pakistan and China, he said that changes in world affairs have also brought changes in relationships. World orders bring countries together and world order changes. Countries’ friendships also drift apart.

He said that Pakistan and China friendship has defied all rules of international affairs and diplomacy.

There are no two countries that have phrases like iron brothers, he added. All these phrases describe depth and strength of Pakistan-China friendship and brotherhood.

He said that purpose of CPEC was not to advance China’s business interests. Purpose of CPEC was to help Pakistan which was close strategic partner, to improve its economy and bring Pakistan’s economy from an agricultural structure into an industrial structure.

Ambassador of China to Pakistan Nong Rong addressing award winners said that in 2022, against challenge of global economic downturn and historical floods in Pakistan, CPEC projects have made good progress.

During this year, CPEC has always been highlight of our bilateral relations. On November 2, President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on his official visit to China. “Our two sides are committed to making full use of JCC of CPEC, advancing CPEC with greater efficiency and making CPEC an exemplar of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation”, he added. Ambassador added that series of good news are coming from different sectors under CPEC umbrella.

This is just portrayal of great potential of agricultural cooperation between our two countries. Pakistan’s trade surplus of agricultural products for year 2021 enjoyed an increase of 13 times. This year is expected to exceed record high of $ 1 billion.

So far, CPEC has created 192,000 jobs, 6000MW of power supply and 510 km of highway and 886 km of transmission line, which laid solid foundation for Pakistan’s socio-economic development.

He informed that recently, China adjusted its Covid prevention and control policies, which include removal of measures to control number of international flights and restoration of people-to-people exchanges for business and study.

It is hoped that Chinese and Pakistani staff will cherish opportunity, contribute to construction of CPEC with practical actions and continue to consolidate iron friendship between China and Pakistan, he concluded.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 31 2022

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