PM Shehbaz emphasises transnational rail, road projects

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said Pakistan is working on multiple connectivity projects to usher in a new era of enhanced trade, economic cooperation and energy collaboration in the region and beyond.

He was addressing the concluding session of the two-day Regional Transport Ministers' Conference in Islamabad today.

The Prime Minister said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a vital gateway of connectivity, opportunity and cultural exchanges that has opened new opportunities for energy and trade cooperation.

The Prime Minister said CPEC has been a transformative experience for this region that has brought market and people together across China, Central and South Asia, along with the Middle East by linking Gwadar port with China.

Shehbaz Sharif informed the delegates that after the success of the first phase, we are now entering the second and very exciting phase of the CPEC 2.0.

He said the second phase centres on fostering business-to-business partnerships, strengthening investment opportunities for Chinese companies and Pakistan, as well as from friendly and brotherly countries.

Shehbaz Sharif further said Pakistan's long coastline, including Gwadar, Karachi and future ports, offers key transit points on the maritime Silk Road. Besides, we are focusing on a number of rail connectivity projects like the Trans-Afghan Railways and the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul connectivity. He said the project is a great opportunity to revolutionise the cross-border trade and connectivity.

The Prime Minister informed the audience that the enhanced air links to Central Asian Republics, along with frameworks and international road transport mechanisms, would really bring a quantum jump in our trade, our joint venture investment projects and people-to-people contacts.

Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan is also investing in digital infrastructure to catch up with the fourth industrial revolution around the globe.

He said Pakistan's sixty per cent population is youth, and we are working to provide them with opportunities in IT, AI and vocational training. He said the youth are our greatest asset and will become the harbinger of Pakistan's speedy progress and prosperity in times to come.