Govt takes steps to make Pakistan trade, transit & transshipment hub: Caretaker PM

Beijing: Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Wednesday said that the government took steps to make Pakistan a trade, transit, transshipment hub with secured, open, reliable and efficient connectivity for regional countries and beyond.

Addressing the High-Level Forum of BRF titled 'Connectivity in an Open Global Economy' in Beijing today, he said Pakistan has successfully operationalized its deep seaport of Gwadar with state of the art facilities to handle cargo ships facilitating transshipment to regional countries, especially the landlocked states.

He said soon a new international airport would be inaugurated in Gwadar, which is yet another step in realizing our vision of Gwadar serving as a hub of regional trade and connectivity.

The Prime Minister further said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship programme of Belt and Road Initiative, is poised to enter the next phase, where it would be transformed a corridor of growth, linking economies and providing equal opportunities to the people.

He hoped that under this vision a farmer in rural areas can access regional markets for his customers, a student in a remote village can access world class education and a small business owner can trade seamlessly with his partners across regions.

He said CPEC would also be developed as a corridor of livelihood with dividends reaching the common people, improving their living standards, creating jobs and addressing poverty.

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar highlighted that CPEC would be a corridor of innovation, where Pakistan and China would join hands to advance their cooperation in the fields of IT and science and technology with the aim of improving lives of their people. He said another important facet of CPEC would be a development of green corridor, which would serve objectives of ensuring food security, agricultural modernization, green development and environmental protection.

He said CPEC as a corridor of openness demonstrates our sincerity towards making this development project as an inclusive one welcoming other countries and partners to join hands in this great venture.

Talking about the challenges being faced by the mankind, the Prime Minister underlined the need for a united global response to address complex transnational issues to prevent backsliding on the gains achieved under UN Sustainable Development Goals agenda 2030.

He emphasized the urgency of addressing infrastructure gaps in the developing world by investing in transportation, energy and digital economy.

Regarding the Pakistan's historic relationship with China, the Prime Minister said Islamabad takes immense pride in being Beijing's partner in the quest for an inclusive and sustainable development. He said nearly 50 projects worth 25 billion dollars have been completed under CPEC.

He said construction of modern highways, seaports, airport and rapid mass transport system has improved Pakistan's transport network, connected cities and remote areas, improved accessibility, facilitating the movement of goods and people across the country.

He added CPEC energy projects have injected over 800 megawatts electricity to the national grid, while nearly 10,000 megawatts of additional and clean energy projects are expected to be completed in next four to five years.

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar further said Pakistan deeply cherished its unique relationship and strategic cooperation partnership with China and it is committed to work together to achieve the ideas of an open global economy and promote connectivity on transcontinental scale.

He said Pakistan also looks forward to joining hands with other partners across borders and regions to create a world, where connectivity is not just a concept but a living reality for every citizen for a globalized world.

The Prime Minister congratulated the Chinese leadership on the successful organization of the 3rd BRF. He appreciated President Xi's vision for creating a Global Community with Shared Future and the Belt-and-Road Initiative which holds immense significance for global connectivity, common development and shared prosperity.