Speakers at a conference on Tuesday emphasised the need for broader consensus on implementation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects and ensuring that all parts of the country take benefits of these projects.
The two-day conference on "China-Pakistan Economic Cooperation: Challenges and Opportunities", organised by Preston University concluded describing the CPEC as game-changer towards greater regional economic cooperation through connectivity under the CPEC.
The conference brought together scholars, diplomats, academics and government officials at the concluding session, who highlighted the significance of the CPEC projects for the economic development of the country as well as regional integration through peaceful economic diplomacy.
Professor Dr Zulfiqar Ali Qureshi, head department, International Relations, Preston University, who chaired one the sessions, remarked that the Chinese leadership's "One Road and One Belt" initiative will integrate the whole region through connectivity projects and, hence, benefit the entire region.
He said that CPEC is the game-changer which will not only benefit all parts of the country but the whole region. He pointed out that it was 15-year long project to be completed in 2030 by focusing on infrastructure development, Gwadar Sea Port, energy and industrial cooperation.
Mohammad Ashraf Ansari, visiting faculty, Department of International Relations, Preston University, in his presentation, highlighted the historic relations between Pakistan and China, saying the governments and the people of the two countries have helped each other in testing times.
He said that CPEC was a reflection of the strong economic and strategic partnership of the two countries. However, he added that reservations of some political parties needed to be resolved and a consensus should be developed on implementation of the projects under the CPEC.
Dr Saima Kayani, chairperson, department of Defence and Diplomatic Studies, Fatima Jinnah Women University, while giving her presentation on 'CPEC mechanism of inter-dependence between South Asia and Central Asia', said that the strategic importance of South Asia and Central Asia is growing rapidly and CPEC has further enhanced its significance.
Through this project, she pointed out that the entire South Asia will be connected with the West through Central Asia, which the key component of One Road and One Belt initiative.
The speakers were of the views that through projects like TAPI and CASA 1000 regional cooperation project would redefine West Asia to turn it into a regional economic block of three billion people.
They pointed out that various projects under the CPEC would bring the less developed areas of the country in the mainstream through economic opportunities which will also help eradicate poverty and unemployment.