Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that Pakistan Peoples Party believes that CPEC can act as a force multiplier for Pakistan. It is not merely a road construction project, rather a long term strategic development agenda. "I would say that our relationship with China is beyond CPEC".
This he said while addressing at documentary launching ceremony of the Chinese Consulate held at a hotel titled "CPEC - a real transformation to people's life in Karachi" to reflect economical and social development in Karachi. The programme was attended by leading businessmen, diplomats and notables in a large number.
Murad Ali Shah said that in the documentary a strong partnership between Pakistan and China in different sectors such as port and shipping, wind energy, finance, construction and cultural activities under which Chinese were learning Urdu and Pakistanis are learning Chinese and other activities were shown thriving. "This is a new change under which friendship between the two nations would further cement," he said.
The relationship between Pakistan and China is one that has been established on trust, interwoven with friendship, and cemented with confidence and pride. "The bond between our people and civilizations is even deeper right from the arrival of great Buddhist monks in the early 4th century to the traders walking along the historic Silk route, our relationship has only strengthened," he recalled.
The chief minister said that since 1950, five generations of Chinese and Pakistani leadership have initiated, cultivated and fostered a relationship that has sustained all rigours of time. "Today, we proudly say that People's Republic of China is Pakistan's "all weather friend".
He said that the charismatic leadership of Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai and Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto lent new heights to this relationship. He added Prime Minister Bhutto elucidated his thoughts when he said "if we look around us, the only great power whose objective interests coincide with Pakistan's, and the only country capable of assisting Pakistan, is the People's Republic of China," he quoted.
Syed Murad Ali Shah said that PM Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and President Asif Ali Zardari developed close ties with the leadership of Communist Party of China. The new generation, under Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, continues to consider China as a dependable brother and friend.
He said that Pakistan Peoples Party believes that CPEC can act as a force multiplier for Pakistan. It is not merely a road construction project, rather a long term strategic development agenda. I would say that our relationship with China is beyond CPEC.
Talking about his government stance, the chief minister said that the government of Sindh is in full support of all CPEC projects. "I am happy to report that the major projects located in Sindh have not only achieved financial close but some are on the verge of beginning commercial operations," he added.
Thar 'Coal mining and power plants' is the flagship project of Sindh government. "Like CPEC, Thar Coal development is a defining moment for Pakistan's economy. After achieving financial close in April 2016, the project is progressing swiftly, and soon we are going to expand the coal mine in order to achieve economies of scale and bring the coal price down. Additionally, another CPEC project (Thar coal block-1) is expected to achieve financial close by March 2017," he announced.
He said that in addition to coal, one CPEC wind project is complete (Hydro China Dawood-50 MW) and two more (UEP-100 MW, Sachal-50 MW) would be complete by June, 2017. He continued saying, China Three Gorges Company would achieve financial close by April 2017. "There is a huge potential to develop wind energy and we have received tremendous response as a direct result of our favourable policies," he said and went on saying "to support grid issues, we have incorporated Sindh Transmission and Dispatch Company. Here I must mention that the Government of Sindh, ever mindful of energy needs, has allotted 30,000 acres of land for renewable energy projects."
The chief minister talking about the security of Chinese citizens said that it is a top priority of the government. "We are amassing a dedicated force of 2,000 former soldiers for this purpose. This would be in addition to 4,000 policemen who are already being trained by Pakistan army. I have set up a special desk at my office and central police office for CPEC security," he said.
Talking about projects of Karachi Circular Railway, Keti bandar Power Park and China Special Economic Zone at Dhabeji, Syed Murad Ali Shah said they have been included in the CPEC projects. "I am going to China in the delegation of the Prime Minister tomorrow and these projects would be approved there," he told. Earlier, Chinese Consul General Wang Yu, in his welcome speech highlighted some facts about the documentary he launched. On the occasion cultural show was also presented in which Chinese songs were presented to entertain the guests.