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Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday announced Pakistan's decision to join the Ashgabat Agreement and the Lapis Lazuli Corridor while addressing a two-day Global Sustainable Transport Conference in the Turkmen capital.
The Ashgabat agreement is a transport agreement between Oman, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and seeks to create an international transport and transit corridor.
The objective of the agreement is to facilitate the transport of goods between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf.
The Lapis Lazuli Corridor seeks to foster transit and trade cooperation between Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey by reducing barriers facing transit trade.
It intends to develop a Custom Procedure Integration in the region.
"I would like to take this historic opportunity to announce our agreement in principle to join the Ashgabat Agreement as well as the Lapis Lazuli Corridor."
"I am positive [the Ashgabat Agreement] will be beneficial not only to Pakistan but also to the entire Central Asian and South Asian region and beyond."
The premier said "peaceful neighbourhood is a key pillar of [Pakistan's] policy", adding that without regional peace and stability "we will not be able to reap the benefits of regional connectivity and integration".
"Through integration of economies, markets and, more importantly cultures, which provide the doorway for peaceful co-existence, I have asked my relevant government ministers to approach the depository countries for an early start of negotiations in this behalf."
Referring to China's one-belt one-road initiative as a "game-changer", the PM said: "It aims to create the world's largest platform to integrate development of various regions in the Eurasian land mass."
He said the most promising element of this initiative is the China Pakistan Economic Corridor.
"A package of multiple infrastructure and development projects that will boost connectivity in the region, help integrate South Asia, China, Central Asia and the Middle East and offer opportunities for hundreds of millions of people in this region."
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Comments (43) Closed
Nov 26, 2016 01:17pm
Good move to benefit our great nation, now do something about corruption from top to bottom, please. Thanks
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Nov 26, 2016 01:19pm
Wonderful. That's result oriented foreign policy. Unlike Modi's foreign policy of taking selfies/slobbering over visiting dignitaries. And touting and being viewed as a success
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Nov 26, 2016 01:23pm
Good action appreciated PM Nawaz.
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Nov 26, 2016 01:24pm
Another good step forward .... we MUST integrate other economies with Pakistan's. We must give as many countries as possible, a reason to stand with Pakistan on global platforms.
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Nov 26, 2016 01:33pm
Someone said, : "We shall isolate you"
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Nov 26, 2016 01:34pm
well that is called as international north south transport corridor
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Nov 26, 2016 01:34pm
Good going Mr.PM. Keep it up. we are proud of you
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Nov 26, 2016 01:44pm
Pakistan is now making its felt on international economic arena!!! Way to go PMNS!!! Pakistan Zindabad
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Nov 26, 2016 02:04pm
It is about time that Pakistan also pursued and advocated it's political, foreign and economic policies at the world stage. Pakistan should invite all like minded countries from Iran, Turkey, Russia, Central Asian Republics, Arab Gulf, Nepal and others to join us in CPEC to link our destinies, security and future together. This will ensure develpoment, peace, prosperity and investment in the region and promote well being of the people. India could also become a part if it drops it's anti-Pakistan tirade and chooses to join hands for the welfare of the masses. It would be a win-win situation for all and rule out any future conflicts, doubts and reservations amongst the connected countries. Trade, investment, development and education for all is the way forward to a progressive Asia. If we show the will, vision and commitment such a goal could translate into reality. Anyway good going Mr. PM. We need more such initiatives and efforts from you to project Pakistan at the world forum.
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Nov 26, 2016 02:15pm
We welcome this isolation.
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Nov 26, 2016 02:17pm
Excellent reply to Modi to his world tours like USA, Japan, Australia and China. Nawaz trying match his number of tours tally only difference is Modi visiting world top 10 countries but Nawaz visiting countries rank may be that not great
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Nov 26, 2016 02:22pm
Let any cricket team visit pakistan soon...
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Nov 26, 2016 03:04pm
Those who claimed to isolate Pakistan In SAARC must know that this country is situated at cross roads of South Asia and Central Asia. Ignoring Pakistan is not an option for regional progress.
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Nov 26, 2016 03:27pm
Wonderful news - with all his follies, NS has done an amazing job for the nation in this term. With China, Russia and Iran now having a stake in a peaceful, stable Pakistan, he has not only secured long-term prosperity for our future generations, but also the long-term stability of the country. Keep it up, God bless you!
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Nov 26, 2016 03:42pm
Look towards West. As long as Modi and co are in power in India, East will remain hostile to Pakistan so we need to put it in a freezer and forget about it. Now work to bring Afghanistan around as well. China, Russia, Central Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan can privide massive trade opportunity with road and rail links. Extend this to Middle East via Iran and you have the trade link that will rival EU.
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Nov 26, 2016 04:28pm
Government must be commended. It seems that positive results are coming in of the right policies.
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Nov 26, 2016 04:34pm
Good Move
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Nov 26, 2016 04:46pm
Congrats from Afghanistan. We are always with our Pakistani brothers. And let me assure Pakistani brothers, insincere opportunists will fail unless they start thinking positively.
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Nov 26, 2016 04:47pm
India went ahead loudly proclaiming it would isolate Pakistan, killed the SAARC in an extraordinarily short sighted move and scored an own goal at the BRICS summit in its lust to damage Pakistan. But all that has happened is that Pakistan has ignored India and forged strong diplomatic links with the Central Asian States, which is universally acknowledged as the next emerging block of powerful countries. Pakistan wins.. Power hungry neighbor.. Isolated..
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Nov 26, 2016 04:46pm
@Potya - honestly, we don't really care about cricket team visiting us. The a sense of cricket has made the nation focussed on much more important tasks. It's fine and we will welcome whoever visit but not losing sleep over it
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Nov 26, 2016 04:54pm
Great; Continue to do something like this and CPEC
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Nov 26, 2016 05:14pm
It's a matter of pride that the idea of 'Economic Corridor' has gained popularity. Logistical cost is an important aspect for faster delivery and indirect cost savings. Our Muslim Central Asian countries are also planning similar corridors. Turkmenistan is an example.
Well done Pakistan's leadership!
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Nov 26, 2016 05:17pm
So Chinese goods will now flow to Central Asia Thanks to Pakistan joining these agreements. A big victory for Chinese thru CPEC.
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Nov 26, 2016 05:18pm
@OSD: Correct, despite all the negativity of PTI !
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Nov 26, 2016 05:21pm
It is great to see that we are moving in a better direction then pinning our hopes to Afghanistan for trade with central asia.
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Nov 26, 2016 05:21pm
Wow what a great achievement for Pakistan. Imagine road access from Russia, Turkmenistan to china to hot waters of Gwadar via CPEC. Hope those who wanted to isolate us stop their nefarious plans and instead of piling caches of arms and weapons of destruction concentrate on real efforts to eradicate poverty and unemployment and give a safe and peaceful place to live for our next generations.
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Nov 26, 2016 05:47pm
@FARAS
Expecting predators to stop predatory and start grazing? The only solution is to apply the same "Bear Trap" that disintegrated the ruthless former superpower and liberating so many enslaved lands of very friendly people!
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Nov 26, 2016 05:51pm
Pakistan's foreign policy seems back to the track. nothing is beyond our reach if planned and executed sincerely.
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Nov 26, 2016 06:16pm
Great work Pakistan. We need to focus on our progress, now no one can stop us. Don't care about India. Yes, I see big "isolation" on east of Pakistan.
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Nov 26, 2016 07:31pm
Mr. Premier! Control the corruption, every thing else will automatically stand rectified. We are rich in natural resources but we fail to overcome the corrupt practices. A big tragedy, no doubt!
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Nov 26, 2016 07:48pm
Connect that to CPEC system via Iran and everyone will benefit of having China in it as well. Also build Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline and Pakistan will reap economic bonanza.
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Nov 26, 2016 07:50pm
@Afghan, Big thank you from Pakistan. Please kick the Indian RAW agents from Afghanistan and Pakistan and Afghanistan can enjoy old peaceful neighborhood.
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Nov 26, 2016 08:00pm
Good job, Mr PM.
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Nov 26, 2016 08:08pm
Someone is jealous
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Nov 26, 2016 08:08pm
Congrats !
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Nov 26, 2016 08:48pm
Is this the global isolation of Pakistan, India was talking about ?
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Nov 26, 2016 08:52pm
Pakistan stands for peace and friendship with all. Therefore, this decision is greatly welcomed by the people of Pakistan as it will promote peace, progress and prosperity in the region.
India as the largest country should show greatness and leadership. PM Modi should stop threatening smaller countries, instead seek peace and friendship with all. That would be leadership and statesmanship.
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Nov 26, 2016 09:24pm
Pakistan is blessed with its geographical location , a door way to Central Asia. Progress is possible only if political leadership is free of vested interests. Sharifs are businessmen, vested interests are the cornerstone of their foreign policy.
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Nov 26, 2016 11:03pm
Pakistan has location location and location! Too strategic to be ignored!!!
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Nov 27, 2016 03:33am
@REALLY
The real difference is when you deal with big economies your economy grows. When you deal with sustaining economies your economy sustains.
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Nov 27, 2016 07:05am
Waiste public money, These so called Business Tours has no meaning other than photo session
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Nov 27, 2016 07:51am
Thanks for making it easier to send Indian goods to Central Asia via Iran and Afghanistan . India is already trading with Central Asia. By the way goods always find markets thru straight open borders or via smugglers routes. Think about increasing production. Genuine good wishes for increased trade.
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Nov 27, 2016 07:56am
@Kashmiri Indian , And a great opportunity for Pakistan. Do not forget the obvious fact.
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