LAHORE: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal says the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) shouldn’t be made controversial as it will bring about sustainable prosperity in Pakistan.

“CPEC should be implemented in letter and spirit instead of being made controversial,” the minister said while talking to the media after attending the 14th CEO Summit Asia, titled “Reshaping the Future: Build Greater Pakistan—Success Story of Punjab” organised by the CEO Club Pakistan, in collaboration with the Board of Investment and Planning Commission, here at a local hotel.

Responding to the media queries, the minister said Pakistan had presented a long-term plan on CPEC that would be approved by China. It’s mega project that would give a boost to the country’s development. He termed presence of all the four chief ministers in China during the recent visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif a good sign.

Mr Iqbal said the government had allocated Rs100bn for the public sector development programmes.

Earlier, speaking at the conference, he dispelled various misconceptions about CPEC and requested the business community to actively take part in the plan.

In her address, Punjab Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha termed the unity of all provinces and stakeholders necessary to get real benefits of CPEC. She said due to better security and law and order situation, gradual decrease in the energy crisis, good infrastructure and provision of skilled labour force in Punjab had increased confidence of investors in the government.

“There is a rising trend of public-private partnership in Punjab that is playing a major role in its growth,” she said.

Other speakers included Governor Rafique Rajwana, CEO Club’s President Ijaz Nisar, Kansai Paint Chairman Agha Zafar Abbas, Descon CEO Amir Niazi and TCS chief Khalid Nawaz.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2017