CPEC, TAPI and CASA-1000 landmark achievements of government: PM Nawaz

ISLAMABAD (Staff Report) - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline and the Central Asia-South Asia-1000 (CASA-1000) power project were all major achievements of his government.

Talking to newsmen in the plane while returning from Tajikistan, he said the region would benefit from China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He also said the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline will help overcome energy shortage in Pakistan.

The Prime Minister said all the regional countries were in the process of establishing economic zones.  He said CASA-1000 project provides Pakistan an opportunity to cement its relationship with Central Asian countries.

He predicted that Balochistan would make unprecedented progress in next three to four years. He said a chain of development projects had been launched from Gwadar to Khunjerab. He said new highways and motorways were being constructed to improve connectivity.

Nawaz Sharif said power generation had been improved by using local coal.

He said 100 billion rupees have been saved as a result of ensuring transparency in development projects.

He also said opposition does not want elimination of corruption, but to target him.

In response to a question, he said that Pakistan wants friendly relations with all neighboring countries, including Afghanistan and India. He said peace in neighboring countries would usher in a new era of regional development and progress.

The Prime Minister urged for the resolution of issues with India through dialogue.