CPEC to benefit 3b people: Sartaj Aziz

International conference on CPEC starts at NUML

Islamabad

The two-day international conference on ‘China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Corridor of Prosperity Through Education and Business,’ organised by Peace & Conflict Study Department of National University of Modern Languages (NUML) started here at NUML on Wednesday, says a press release.

Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz was the chief guest at the inaugural session, while Chargé d'affaires Chinese Embassy Zhao Lijan and Dr. Mujeeb Afzal were the key note speakers of the inaugural session.

NUML Rector Major General (r) Zia Ud Din Najam, Dean Social Sciences Dr. Sufiana Khatoon Malik, NUML Director General Brig Riaz Ahmed Gondal, deans, directors, heads of departments and a large number of students also attended the Conference.

Speaking on the occasion chief guest Sartaj Aziz said that NUML is playing a role of a bridge between Pakistan and the rest of the world and providing excellent services of teaching various international languages especially Chinese language. He said that CPEC project will benefit the population of 3 billion people including neighbouring and Central Asian States. He further said that CPEC project will promote peace, harmony and prosperity among all the neighbouring states.

Chief Guest said that eight to ten special economic zones will be set up for local and international investors to promote business and industrial activities and special incentive will also be given to the investors to attract them. He said that road structure and to overcome energy shortage are the main components of this project which will help to develop human development. 

Charge de Affairs of Chinese embassy Zhao Lijan said that China is offering scholarships for Pakistani students and exchanging think tanks to better understand each other. He said that there are four Confucius Institutes are working in Pakistan including NUML, which is the best in the world.

Earlier, NUML Rector Major General Zia Ud Din Najam in his welcome address said that there are two views about the CPEC one is that project will be like rivers of honey and milk for Pakistan while the others said it is the project with huge interest rate and it is not as beneficial as pretended. Rector said that in this situation it is the responsibility of academicians to develop a catharsis and guide the nation in right direction. He termed CPEC is an artery of peace.

On  first day 8 papers were presented