India intervening in Pakistan’s affairs, Dar tells Chinese media

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has told the Chinese media that India is “intervening” in Pakistan’s internal affairs by protesting the route of the China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC), which also passes through Azad Kashmir.
“India’s reaction is unnecessary. I would say it’s an intervention in our internal affairs. We have tried to promote connectivity and reach out to all the neighbouring countries,” Dar told state-run Chinese daily Global Times. “We believe countries including Afghanistan and India could also benefit from the economic corridor,” he said.
Dar added that the Indian leaders and the Parliament reacted sharply to the projects, but they should see the projects positively. “It’s good for India also. Greater regional connectivity and the Corridor will utterly benefit the whole region including India. It’s an immature comment to say the project is unacceptable,” he said.
On China’s concerns over terrorism affecting the project in Pakistan, Dar said that his government was trying to contain it through military operations against the militant groups in the tribal regions and by improving economy. “Eradicating extremism and terrorism is one of our priorities. The present government has formulated the National Action Plan (NAP) with the consensus of other political parties to root out terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he said.
“The Pakistani government is ensured to the safety of Chinese nationals deployed on each and every project We intend to provide full security to all of the economic corridors’ projects”, he said.