Shehbaz, Miftah discuss CPEC projects

LAHORE: Prime Minister's Advisor on Finance, Miftah Ismail here Wednesday called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and discussed with him the matters relating to strengthening of economy and ongoing projects initiated under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

On this occasion, Chief Minister said the goal of self-reliant and prosperous Pakistan was his mission and all-out resources were being utilized for the purpose.

He said that sufficient improvements had been brought in the national economy due to solid economic policies of the government due to which trade and industrial activities had been increased in the province.

He said that rehabilitation of the sagging economy, which the government had inherited, was a marvellous achievement of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government. Due to effective development strategy of the government, he viewed, trade and economic activities had been boosted and lakhs of new job-opportunities had been created because of increased investment.

The Chief Minister said that CPEC was a gigantic initiative of national development and prosperity and a lot of CPEC-related projects had been completed across the country.

Thousands of megawatts electricity had also been added into the national grid with speedy completion of energy projects under CPEC, he said and asserted that world was wondering over speedy completion of the projects in Pakistan.

It is sanguine that CPEC had proved a game-changer in the real sense as it had opened the doors of foreign investments to Pakistan, he mentioned.

He said, "We are thankful to the president, prime minister as well as the people of China over the mammoth investment package under the CPEC," adding that CPEC was a great initiative of a friendly country which would never be forgotten by the people of Pakistan and the investment made under this project had further strengthened bilateral relations between the people of both the countries.

Shehbaz Sharif said that CPEC-related initiatives would change the destiny of the nation, as it emerged as a project of vital utility and play an important role with regard to elimination of terrorism and fanaticism along with poverty alleviation from the region.

The economic corridor would usher in a new era of socio-economic development and as a result, Pakistan would become the focal-point of trade and economic activities.

He lamented that opponents of public development tried to hinder the CPEC projects, adding that the elements damaging the national interest for the sake of personal agenda were not loyal to the country.

Miftah Ismail said that Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif had taken unprecedented steps for development of the province and in fact, the development process in Punjab had emerged as a role model for others.

Shehbaz Sharif had altogether changed the province with his untiring efforts and exemplary steps taken in the larger interest of the people, he concluded.