2nd Phase of CPEC Starts with SIFC’s Facilitation

Wed Aug 28 2024

2nd Phase, CPEC, SIFC's Facilitation,

ISLAMABAD: Officials said that the second phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been started with the facilitation of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

According to Radio Pakistan, the government is determined to work closely with China on 5 new economic corridors of the CPEC project. These economic corridors include Livelihood Corridor, Innovation Corridor, Regional Development Corridor, Green Energy Corridor, and Employment Creation Corridor.

Giving details, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal stated that these economic corridors are part of CPEC Phase II. He further said that Pakistan and China have agreed to start work on these five corridors which are aligned with Pakistan’s ‘5Es framework.

2nd Phase CPEC SIFC's Facilitation

WASHINGTON: Pakistan has expressed deep concern over India’s use of a nuclear-capable missile during a recent clash, warning that such actions have heightened the risk of future conflicts spiralling out of control in South Asia. In an interview with Bloomberg in Washington, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari — who is heading a high-level parliamentary delegation — said India’s deployment of a nuclear-capable missile had dangerously lowered the threshold for military engagement between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. “This precedent makes the regional situation far more precarious,” Bhutto Zardari said. “In any future conflict, both countries could escalate far too quickly for any international partner to intervene effectively.” He warned that such escalation could happen without warning, leaving little room for diplomacy or restraint. “Pakistan is deeply concerned that in the event of a next crisis, the speed at which both sides climb the escalation ladder could be unprecedented.” Calling for a return to meaningful diplomacy, Bilawal reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding position in favour of comprehensive dialogue between India and Pakistan. “Our principled stance remains unchanged: dialogue is essential for peace and stability in the region,” he said. Criticising the Modi government’s current approach, Bilawal described it as dangerously provocative. “Their so-called ‘new normal’—what we call an abnormal—is that any terrorist incident anywhere in India, or in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, can lead to immediate escalation without even a shred of evidence. An accusation alone is enough to justify full-blown military action against Pakistan.” Following engagements in Washington and New York, the high-level Pakistani parliamentary delegation, led by Bhutto Zardari, is expected to continue its diplomatic outreach with visits to key European capitals, including London and Brussels. Engaging key US lawmakers Meanwhile, the delegation conducted a series of meetings with US lawmakers on Capitol Hill. It with a bipartisan group of US lawmakers, including a key meeting with the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, co-chaired by Congressmen Jack Bergman and Tom Suozzi. During these discussions, Bilawal Bhutto briefed the members on “India’s recent acts of unprovoked aggression, including the targeting of civilians and the deeply concerning, unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a clear breach of international law.” He extended appreciation to the United States, particularly “President Donald Trump, for his constructive role in helping de-escalate tensions and supporting efforts towards a ceasefire.” The former Foreign Minister emphasised that “sustainable peace in South Asia hinges on dialogue, restraint, and a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, rather than unilateralism or intimidation.” In separate meetings with other influential members of Congress, the delegation also met individually with Senator Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, also a Democrat, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia; Congressman Tom Kean, a Republican Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Congressman John Moolenaar, a Republican Member of the House Appropriations Committee; Senator Jim Banks, a Republican Member of the Armed Services Committee; Senator Van Hollen, a Democrat; and Senator Cory Booker, also a Democrat. Throughout these engagements, the Pakistani delegation reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance on regional peace, counterterrorism efforts, and recent Indian aggression. They reaffirmed “Pakistan’s commitment to peace, responsible conduct, and rejection of baseless allegations.” The delegation underscored “the urgency of dialogue on Jammu and Kashmir, an unfinished agenda of the United Nations,” and stressed the imperative of “respect for international law, UNSC resolutions, and the Indus Waters Treaty, a lifeline for 240 million Pakistanis, now threatened by the dangerous precedent of weaponization of water.” Chairman Bhutto stressed the importance of trade among countries, calling it “a bridge for constructive engagement and the betterment of our people.” Members of Congress welcomed the Pakistani delegation, urging both countries to demonstrate restraint and prioritise regional peace and stability, according to the press release. They reiterated the US support for the people of Pakistan and its commitment to aiding the country’s economic development. The delegation includes several prominent members of Pakistan’s Parliament and former senior officials, including Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Musadik Masood Malik; Climate Change Committee Chair Senator Sherry Rehman (PPP), former Minister for Climate Change, and former Ambassador to the US Senator Bushra Anjum Butt (PML-N); Hina Rabbani Khar (MNA, PPP), Chair of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and former Foreign Minister; Senator Faisal Sabzwari (MQM); Engineer Khurram Dastagir Khan, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense; Ambassador (r) Jalil Abbas Jilani, former Foreign Minister/Secretary; and Tehmina Janjua, a former Foreign Secretary.

Pakistan Warns of Escalation Risk After Indian Nuclear-Capable Missile Use

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Shehbaz Sharif, Umrah, Jeddah, Field Marshal, Syed Asim Munir, Crown Prince

Pakistan PM Sharif Arrives in Saudi Arabia for Official Visit

Pakistan Air Force, Belarus, Pakistan, Defence, PAF, Islamabad

Pakistan, Belarus Agree to Enhance Air Force Cooperation

Latest

Hajj Pilgrims in Makkah Perform Eid al-Adha Prayers at Grand Mosque

Donald Trump Xi Jinping hold phone call

UN Leadership Supports Pakistan’s Stance on Indus Waters Treaty and Conflict with India: Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN

Turkish,

Turkish Wrestling Legend Rıza Kayaalp Offers to Train Young Pakistani Athletes

WASHINGTON: Pakistan has expressed deep concern over India’s use of a nuclear-capable missile during a recent clash, warning that such actions have heightened the risk of future conflicts spiralling out of control in South Asia. In an interview with Bloomberg in Washington, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari — who is heading a high-level parliamentary delegation — said India’s deployment of a nuclear-capable missile had dangerously lowered the threshold for military engagement between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. “This precedent makes the regional situation far more precarious,” Bhutto Zardari said. “In any future conflict, both countries could escalate far too quickly for any international partner to intervene effectively.” He warned that such escalation could happen without warning, leaving little room for diplomacy or restraint. “Pakistan is deeply concerned that in the event of a next crisis, the speed at which both sides climb the escalation ladder could be unprecedented.” Calling for a return to meaningful diplomacy, Bilawal reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding position in favour of comprehensive dialogue between India and Pakistan. “Our principled stance remains unchanged: dialogue is essential for peace and stability in the region,” he said. Criticising the Modi government’s current approach, Bilawal described it as dangerously provocative. “Their so-called ‘new normal’—what we call an abnormal—is that any terrorist incident anywhere in India, or in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, can lead to immediate escalation without even a shred of evidence. An accusation alone is enough to justify full-blown military action against Pakistan.” Following engagements in Washington and New York, the high-level Pakistani parliamentary delegation, led by Bhutto Zardari, is expected to continue its diplomatic outreach with visits to key European capitals, including London and Brussels. Engaging key US lawmakers Meanwhile, the delegation conducted a series of meetings with US lawmakers on Capitol Hill. It with a bipartisan group of US lawmakers, including a key meeting with the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, co-chaired by Congressmen Jack Bergman and Tom Suozzi. During these discussions, Bilawal Bhutto briefed the members on “India’s recent acts of unprovoked aggression, including the targeting of civilians and the deeply concerning, unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a clear breach of international law.” He extended appreciation to the United States, particularly “President Donald Trump, for his constructive role in helping de-escalate tensions and supporting efforts towards a ceasefire.” The former Foreign Minister emphasised that “sustainable peace in South Asia hinges on dialogue, restraint, and a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, rather than unilateralism or intimidation.” In separate meetings with other influential members of Congress, the delegation also met individually with Senator Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, also a Democrat, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia; Congressman Tom Kean, a Republican Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Congressman John Moolenaar, a Republican Member of the House Appropriations Committee; Senator Jim Banks, a Republican Member of the Armed Services Committee; Senator Van Hollen, a Democrat; and Senator Cory Booker, also a Democrat. Throughout these engagements, the Pakistani delegation reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance on regional peace, counterterrorism efforts, and recent Indian aggression. They reaffirmed “Pakistan’s commitment to peace, responsible conduct, and rejection of baseless allegations.” The delegation underscored “the urgency of dialogue on Jammu and Kashmir, an unfinished agenda of the United Nations,” and stressed the imperative of “respect for international law, UNSC resolutions, and the Indus Waters Treaty, a lifeline for 240 million Pakistanis, now threatened by the dangerous precedent of weaponization of water.” Chairman Bhutto stressed the importance of trade among countries, calling it “a bridge for constructive engagement and the betterment of our people.” Members of Congress welcomed the Pakistani delegation, urging both countries to demonstrate restraint and prioritise regional peace and stability, according to the press release. They reiterated the US support for the people of Pakistan and its commitment to aiding the country’s economic development. The delegation includes several prominent members of Pakistan’s Parliament and former senior officials, including Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Musadik Masood Malik; Climate Change Committee Chair Senator Sherry Rehman (PPP), former Minister for Climate Change, and former Ambassador to the US Senator Bushra Anjum Butt (PML-N); Hina Rabbani Khar (MNA, PPP), Chair of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and former Foreign Minister; Senator Faisal Sabzwari (MQM); Engineer Khurram Dastagir Khan, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense; Ambassador (r) Jalil Abbas Jilani, former Foreign Minister/Secretary; and Tehmina Janjua, a former Foreign Secretary.

Pakistan Warns of Escalation Risk After Indian Nuclear-Capable Missile Use

Day of Khullaif, Day of Arafah, Hajj, Makkah, Masjid al-Haram, Kabaa

The Day of Khullaif: A Sacred Symphony of Devotion Led by Women of Makkah

Editor’s Picks

Pakistan

The Rise of Online Sacrificial Services in Pakistan

Pakistan, International, Child Sexual Exploitation, Network, Muzaffarabad, Punjab, Sexual Abuse

Pakistan Busts International Child Sexual Exploitation Network

Pakistan

‘Left in the Lurch’: Pakistan’s Farmers Crushed by Wheat Market Crisis and Broken Food Supply Chain

Programmes

Donald Trump Xi Jinping hold phone call

UN Leadership Supports Pakistan’s Stance on Indus Waters Treaty and Conflict with India: Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN

Pakistan

Pakistan’s Partnership with China Can Make It Regional Trade Leader: Dr Salman Shah

Pakistan

All Luxuries & Privileges Must Be Abolished for Balanced Budget: Former Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission of Pakistan