Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: Archive
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday highlighted the importance of CPEC and transnational rail and road projects, saying the connectivity initiatives would create synergies with the economic strengths of countries in the region and usher in a new era of greater trade, economic and energy cooperation in the region and beyond.
The Prime Minister, speaking at the concluding session of the two-day Regional Transport Ministers’ Conference held here, said cooperation in trade and economic spheres was a win-win proposition and offered rich dividends to all.
“This would strengthen our common interest in peace and reinforce development efforts in the region. Let us together sow the seeds of cooperation so that we can reap the fruits of development and prosperity for our people, our region and beyond,” he said.
Organized by the Ministry of Communications and with the theme “Regional Connectivity: Opportunities for the Region”, the conference was attended by ministers of transportation and
delegates from 20 countries, as well as international organizations such as the Asian Development Bank, the Economic Cooperation Organization, the International Road Transport Union and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
The Prime Minister told the gathering that for centuries, present-day Pakistan had prospered on connectivity, as from the ancient Silk Road to the current Belt and Road Initiative, the region had always been a conduit of connectivity and opportunity.
“Today, changing geopolitical dynamics and the increasing dominance of economic priorities have breathed new life into this ancient corridor, transforming it from a relic of the past to a strategic necessity for our future.”
He highlighted that Pakistan’s geography linked the warm waters of the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf as the country was located at the confluence of China, the Eurasian land bridge and the Middle East, calling it a unique triple junction of economic corridors connecting China, Central Asia and the wider Middle East.
He said Pakistan’s long coastline also made its ports of Gwadar and Karachi key transit points on the maritime Silk Road.
Shehbaz Sharif praised the vision and foresight of his brother and former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who also signed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which had been a transformative experience for the region, connecting markets and people in China, Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East, besides opening new routes for trade and energy cooperation.
He told the international meeting that after the success of its first phase, Pakistan was now entering an “exciting” phase of CPEC-2.0 focused on fostering business-to-business partnerships, strengthening investment opportunities for Chinese companies in Pakistan and promoting our mutual prosperity.
Additionally, he said the country was working on a number of rail connectivity projects, such as the Trans-Afghan Railways and Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul connectivity, as well as improved air links with Central Asian republics, along with frameworks such as the TIR Convention.
Shehbaz Sharif said connectivity is not just limited to roads, railways and air links but also data, innovation and technological integration, and said Pakistan was investing in digital infrastructure to catch up with the fourth industrial revolution.
As 60% of Pakistan’s population was between 15 and 30 years of age, presenting both a challenge and a great opportunity, he said, “We may not have black gold, but our youth is our greatest asset, poised to become the harbinger of Pakistan’s rapid progress and prosperity in the times to come.”
Later, the Prime Minister also visited the exhibition and toured different stalls set up by different organizations including National Logistics Corporation, National Highways Authority and Pakistan Railways.
There he also interacted with representatives of different Pakistani companies.
Earlier, in his concluding remarks, Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan said the participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening connectivity as a pathway to shared opportunities and prosperity in the region.
They also reiterated the determination to pursue a vision of regional cooperation to strengthen economies.
The minister said the conference recognized the urgent need to create linkages, promote innovative financing and foster partnerships with international financial institutions.
Furthermore, he said participants also highlighted the importance of liberal visa schemes and the need for road safety measures for vulnerable users.
He expressed the hope that the discussions would serve as a basis for practical cooperation in the coming months and that the Government of Pakistan would be willing to facilitate dialogue, joint ventures and initiatives to achieve the common agenda.
