ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday said the Iranian Chabahar Port wasn’t a challenge for China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), adding for the regional development, they would have to bring more projects like CPEC.
In his address at the International Maritime Symposium held in Islamabad under the auspices of Bahria University with the theme “Impact of Belt and Road Initiative on Geo-Economics of Indian Ocean Region”, the prime minister said CPEC project spoke volumes about the Pak-China friendship.
Khaqan Abbasi underlined the need to work in collaboration with China. He said regional connectivity and trade were inevitable for the development and prosperity.
The prime minister said they had constructed 1200 kilometre-long highways in Balochistan. He said Pakistan’s economy had been strengthening, and the Country’s e growth rate remained about six percent in the current financial year.
Terming the arrangement of International Maritime Symposium very important, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said Pakistan’s trade was heavily dependent upon sea lanes. He said 40 people of world trade was linked with Pakistan.
The prime minister also remarked that Afghanistan was grappling with security issues.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi said despite numerous challenges, Pakistan Navy had formulated a robust strategy to safeguard national maritime interests.
The Naval Chief said the prime minister had approved setting up of a modern shipyard at Gwadar which would contribute significantly to Pakistan’s economy. He said the government was fully alive to Pakistan Navy’s needs and was providing essential support in meeting the emerging security imperatives.
Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi said the Ministry of Ports and Shipping had been renamed as the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to broaden its scope.
The Chief of Naval Staff expressed the confidence that Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and CPEC would help realize the goal of the shared prosperity of the region.
