Shahbaz greets Pakistani nation, Chinese leaders as first convoy departs from Gwadar Port

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has congratulated Pakistani nation on historic occasion of departure of first trade convoy from Gwadar Port under  China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and said that today was a great day with regard to Pak-China friendship.

He said that with the departure of first trade fleet from Gwadar Port, another milestone of historic Pak-China friendship had been achieved and today the dream of game changer  China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was materialised. A new history has been written today which was dreamed by 20 crore people of Pakistan, he added.

According to a handout, the chief minister congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Li Keqiang, leadership of Communist Party of China and people of China on this historic occasion and said that departure of trade ships from Gwadar Port was another living example of Pak-China friendship and Pakistani nation was thankful for commendable cooperation of China.

Twenty crore people of Pakistan can never forget Chinese cooperation in this regard, he added. He said that work was being carried out speedily on projects throughout Pakistan, including Punjab, under CPEC and this historic investment package of China would result in further promotion of Pak-China cooperation.

Shahbaz Sharif said that not only Pakistan but also other countries of the region would benefit from CPEC projects, and economic and trade activities would be promoted in the region.

Pakistan and China are tied in strong bonds of friendship, he added. The chief minister said that Pak-China friendship was sweeter than honey, higher than Himalayas, deeper than oceans and stronger than steel and it had once again been verified with the departure of trade convoys from Gwadar Port.

He said that China had given historic economic package for changing the fate of Pakistan and the entire Pakistani nation was grateful to the people and leadership of China.

He said, “Our coming generations will never forget Chinese support and investment of billions of dollars in difficult time.” He said that China was a sincere and trustworthy friend of Pakistan which had always stood with Pakistan in every hour of distress.

He said that China had supported Pakistan like a true and sincere friend during war, peace, earthquake, flood or any other natural calamity. He said China wanted that Pakistan and its people made progress and that is why China had given investment package of billions of dollars to Pakistan and implementation on the projects with the investment of 46 billion dollar had changed the course of history.

He said that today the great dream of progress of Pakistan and prosperity of its people had been materialised.

The chief minister said, “Our friends are very happy over great and historic projects of CPEC while the enemy is perturbed over this package of progress and prosperity, but Pakistani nation with the force of unity will not allow to succeed any conspiracy of the enemy against CPE.

He said that this was great beginning of China Pakistan Economic Corridor journey and starting point of this great journey of progress and prosperity. He said that foundation of a new era of progress and prosperity had been laid with speedy implementation of CPEC in the country.

He said that the destiny of the entire region, including Pakistan, would be changed through CPEC. This project will play a key role in making Pakistan economically strong, he added.