PESHAWAR: Indian industrialists should not be afraid of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and if they want to be a part of it they may formally send a request to our government, Regional Chairman of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Standing Committee Ahmad Jawad said on Thursday.

“We have rejected the Indian notion that CPEC may lead to increase tensions between India and Pakistan. India should realise that CPEC is an economic initiative that is not relevant to disputes over territorial sovereignty,” Mr Jawad said in a statement.

He said the ‘One belt, one road’ (OBOR) project is expected to surpass $1 trillion which will result in additional benefits to Pakistan.

CPEC is a great achievement of the incumbent government that will help Pakistan increase its income and influence to reduce poverty, he said.

“China should motivate its private sector to invest in industrial projects across Pakistan particularly in the underdeveloped areas,” Mr Jawad added.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2017