Palestinians CPEC manifests win-win cooperation: Kakar

BEIJING: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, one of the signature projects under the Belt and Road Initiative, is a practical manifestation of win-win cooperation and shared prosperity and a commendable endeavour in building a China-Pakistan community with a shared future. 

“All these elements also form the bedrock of President Xi Jinping’s visionary Belt and Road Initiative,” he said in an exclusive interview with China Daily published here on Tuesday.

The prime minister lauded the Belt and Road Initiative for having “advanced inclusive development to reduce poverty and inequality, improved people’s ability to pay taxes and enhanced governments’ ability to retire their debts”.

He explained that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which has brought about a direct investment of $25.4 billion to Pakistan and created a total of 236,000 jobs, is key to the nation’s socioeconomic progress.

“Strategically located, the port is now functional and regularly handling cargo ships including transhipment trade for Afghanistan. A free economic zone is in place offering lucrative incentives for local, Chinese and other international investors,” Kakar said, adding that a new international airport will also be inaugurated, bringing the port closer to its vision of serving as the hub of regional trade and connectivity.

The prime minister emphasized that the “foolproof safety and security of Chinese personnel and institutions is our topmost priority”, adding the Pakistani government has put in place stringent security protocols to safeguard Chinese workers and entrepreneurs. Kakar said he has high expectations for the forum, during which he will meet with Chinese leaders.

In an interaction with representatives of leading Chinese think tanks and scholars, Kakar termed CPEC a manifestation of a strategic relationship and said the project has proved as a “catalyst of growth, poverty alleviation and job creation”. “The CPEC is a beacon of progress and prosperity. It is not just an economic corridor, but a symbol of Pak-China strategic trust,” he said.

PM Kakar said the CPEC had transformed the socio-economic landscape of Pakistan, upgrading modern infrastructure, enhancing regional connectivity and ensuring energy security. He expressed confidence that as a project of socio-economic prosperity and sustainable development, CPEC would usher in a new era of development and regional prosperity. He recalled that the Chinese vice president during his visit to Pakistan in August outlined five corridors of comprehensive development including growth, livelihood, innovation, greenness, and openness. He proposed that the next phase of CPEC should be deeper integration of the economy, so as to tap the potential of development for the mutual benefit of the two countries. Kakar said being a native of Balochistan, he was cognizant of the potential of the area and added that in collaboration with China, we are poised to unlock opportunities for progress and regional connectivity in Gwadar.”

In their remarks, Chinese academics and scholars underscored the importance and significance of CPEC as a great partnership between Pakistan and China under BRI. They also reaffirmed the continued interest of Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan’s Special Economic Zones and to contribute to the further growth of CPEC, enhanced regional connectivity and sustainable development.

In a related development, Kakar also attended a state banquet, hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping for the world leaders participating in the 3rd Belt and Road Forum. The prime minister was accompanied by senior ministers of his cabinet, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

Held at the iconic Great Hall of the Peoples, the banquet was attended by the heads of state/government of Russia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Mongolia, Hungary, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Papua New Guinea, Mozambique and Chile, among several other world leaders.

At the banquet, the prime minister was welcomed by President Xi and First Lady Madame Peng Liyuan. On the occasion, Prime Minister Kakar also held informal interactions with the world leaders attending the event.

The prime minister arrived in Beijing on Monday to attend the 3rd Belt and Road Forum at the invitation of President Xi.

The caretaker prime minister held a meeting with Kenya’s President Williams Ruto and discussed ways to deepen economic cooperation.

Meanwhile, China’s leading newspaper People’s Daily presented its copy to Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar during his visit to Beijing.

Xu Wei from the Political Desk of People’s Daily presented the copy to the prime minister. The prime minister in his post on social media platform X said, Honored to be presented with a copy of People’s Daily, China by Xu Wei from the Political desk of the newspaper.” He termed it a “testament to the shared understanding and bonds between our nations.”