ISLAMABAD: Pakistan reaffirmed on Thursday that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is an inclusive and open platform for interested third parties to benefit from investment opportunities in priority sectors such as industry, agriculture, IT, science and technology, and oil and gas.
During her weekly press briefing, the Foreign Office spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, emphasized that both Pakistan and China are committed to expanding and developing CPEC to promote win-win connectivity, development, and mutual prosperity.
Baloch stated that Pakistan and China are celebrating the 10th anniversary of CPEC, which is an important pillar of their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. She highlighted the remarkable achievements and positive impacts of CPEC since its inauguration in 2013.
Under the first phase of CPEC, China has invested approximately US$25.4 billion in Pakistan, primarily in energy and transport infrastructure sectors. CPEC projects have contributed 8,000 MW of energy to the national grid, built 510 km of highways, 932 km of road networks, and 820 km of optical fiber lines. The initiative has also generated around 200,000 jobs in Pakistan.
Pakistan Expresses Concern Over Situation in IIOJK
Regarding the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Baloch expressed concern over the restrictions imposed by the Indian authorities during the Eid festivities. She urged the release of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent Kashmiri leader who has been under arbitrary house arrest since August 2019, and called for an end to restrictions that impede religious practices.
The spokesperson also mentioned the upcoming observance of the seventh martyrdom anniversary of Kashmiri youth leader Burhan Muzaffar Wani on July 8. Pakistan reiterated its demand for an end to extra-judicial killings and the indiscriminate use of force against the Kashmiri people.
Pakistan’s Participation in SCO Virtual Meeting
In other diplomatic news, Baloch highlighted Prime Minister Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif’s participation in the virtual meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State, where he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional cooperation and collective action against terrorism. She also mentioned Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s visit to Japan and Foreign Secretary Dr. Asad Majeed Khan’s official visit to Turkey.
The spokesperson condemned the recent Israeli raids and airstrikes in Jenin, expressing outrage over the deliberate targeting of civilians. She also strongly condemned the despicable acts of burning the Holy Quran in Sweden and other European countries, calling them acts of incitement to discrimination, hatred, and violence.
The spokesperson said that the Foreign Minister of the Swiss Confederation, Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis, is scheduled to visit Pakistan from July 7-9. The visit aims to enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in disaster management.
