THE article, ‘Strategic confines of CPEC’ by Muhammad Amir Rana (Oct 21) is based on certain assumptions and opinions without corroboration of facts.

The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative that provides enormous opportunities for Pakistan to grow economically and sustainably. CPEC has also greatly facilitated in overcoming crucial energy, transport infrastructure and supply chain bottlenecks. The government of Pakistan has repeatedly stated that it is fully committed to CPEC, which enjoys complete consensus among all institutions and political parties in Pakistan.

It is unjustifiable to write that the present government is still “musing” over how to deal with CPEC. Within the broad parameters of the already approved CPEC framework, the current government, with mutual consultation of government of China, has broadened the base and expedited the pace of CPEC. The cooperation is being ventured into new avenues in order to promote social sector development, focus on poverty alleviation, assist in low-cost housing, health care, clean drinking water, climate change and forestry as well as capacity building and vocational training.

The Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are open to all -- domestic, Chinese and foreign investors. The business community is fully onboard of the incentives and legal framework being offered to investors. The leaders from the community have also participated in the seventh CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) in this regard. The present government is further working to ensure early implementation of this key sector.

The CPEC framework has also been extended to cooperation in agriculture. The areas include agri-production diversification, water conservation and efficient utilization, processing and value addition for post-harvest handling, trade facilitation through product development and branding, cooperation in crop farming, livestock breeding, forestry, horticulture and fisheries, etc.

The government is fully aware of the dynamics of CPEC and has a clear-cut vision and road map on prioritizing projects that have economic viability and influence on Pakistan’s social sector development.

Spokesman/Focal Person

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2018

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