Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday highlighted the importance of CPEC and transnational rail and road projects, saying the connectivity initiatives would synergize the economic strengths of regional countries and pave the way for a new era of enhanced trade, economic and energy cooperation in the region and beyond.
The Prime Minister, addressing the concluding session of the two-day Regional Transport Ministers Conference held here, said cooperation in trade and economic fields was a win-win proposition, yielding rich dividends to all.
“This would strengthen our common interest in peace and strengthen development efforts in the region. Let us sow the seeds of cooperation together so that we can reap the fruits of development and prosperity for our people, our region and beyond,” he said.
Organized by the Ministry of Communications and with the theme “Regional connectivity: opportunities for the region”, the conference brought together the ministers of Transport and
delegates from 20 countries as well as international organizations such as the Asian Development Bank, the Economic Cooperation Organization, the International Road Transport Union and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
The Prime Minister told the gathering that for centuries, present-day Pakistan had thrived on connectivity because from the ancient Silk Road to the current Belt and Road Initiative, the region has always been a channel of connectivity and opportunities.
“Today, changing geopolitical dynamics and the growing dominance of economic priorities have breathed new life into this ancient corridor, transforming it from a relic of the past into a strategic necessity for our future.”
He highlighted that Pakistan’s geography linked the warm waters of the Arabian Sea and the Arabian Gulf, with the country located at the confluence of China, the Eurasian Land Bridge and the Middle East, terming it a unique tri-junction of economic corridors connecting China, Central Asia and the Middle East as a whole.
He added that Pakistan’s long coastline also made its ports of Gwadar and Karachi key transit points on the Maritime Silk Road.
Shehbaz Sharif praised the vision and foresight of his brother and former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who also signed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which has been a transformative experience for the region, connecting the markets and people of China, Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East, besides opening new routes of trade and energy cooperation.
He told the international meeting that after the success of its first phase, Pakistan was now entering an “exciting” phase of CPEC-2.0 focused on promoting business-to-business partnerships, strengthening investment opportunities for Chinese companies in Pakistan and promoting our mutual prosperity.
Furthermore, he said the country was working on a number of rail connectivity projects, such as the Trans-Afghan Railways and Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul connectivity, as well as improved air links to the Central Asian republics, as well as frameworks such as the TIR Convention.
Terming connectivity not only in roads, railways and air links but also in data, innovation and technological integration, Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan was investing in digital infrastructure to catch up with the fourth industrial revolution.
While 60 per cent of Pakistan’s population is between the ages of 15 and 30, posing both a challenge and a great opportunity, he said, “We may not have black gold, but our youth is our greatest asset, ready to become the harbinger of Pakistan’s rapid progress and prosperity in times to come.” »
Later, the Prime Minister also visited the exhibition and toured various stalls set up by different organizations including National Logistics Corporation, National Highway Authority and Pakistan Railway.
He also interacted with representatives of different Pakistani companies there.
Earlier, in his concluding remarks, Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan said the participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening connectivity as a pathway to shared opportunities and prosperity in the region.
They also reiterated their determination to pursue a vision of regional cooperation to strengthen economies.
The minister said the conference recognized the urgent need to create linkages, promote innovative financing and foster partnerships with international financial institutions.
Furthermore, he said participants also highlighted the importance of liberal visa regimes and the need for road safety measures for vulnerable users.
He expressed hope that the discussions would serve as a basis for practical cooperation in the coming months and that the Government of Pakistan was ready to facilitate dialogue, joint ventures and initiatives to pursue the common agenda.
