Ceasefire violation by India on LoC, moving towards a dangerous escalation’
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said regional connectivity, open trade and increased economic growth were the key to promote tolerance and deny space to extremism. Addressing the opening ceremony of the Boao economic forum in China’s Hainan province, the Prime Minister said Sino Pakistan relations found no parallel in the annals of history.
“In every sense, we are iron brothers. In our region, our friendship is the bedrock of strategic stability,” he said. Abbasi said Pakistan was partnering with China to usher in a new era of peace and prosperity through enhanced connectivity. “In Pakistan today, step by step, brick by brick, a brave new Asia is taking shape.” He said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, the flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative was fast reaching fruition and termed it an excellent example of an open, coordinated, and inclusive development paradigm that benefits all stakeholders.
He said the development of the deep seaport of Gwadar was proceeding at a fast track, at the southern tip of this Corridor. On completion, it would not only serve as a transit and transshipment hub, but become an economic nucleus. He said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor would provide shortest maritime and overland access to Western China, Central and South Asia and the Middle East. Speaking on the theme of “An Open and Innovative Asia for a World of greater Prosperity”, he said as home to the majority of the world population, custodian of a large portion of its natural resources and a conduit for trade by land and sea, Asia continued to demonstrate its growing centrality to the economic order.
The Prime Minister said Boao Forum had emerged as a leading platform shaping international discourse on Asia and its place in the world. Abbasi said in 2017, nearly one-third of worldwide economic growth came from the Asia-Pacific region, the bulk of it from China. “As the Asian Century dawns, it is incumbent upon us to realize our real potential and rediscover the wisdom that resides within.”
Prime Minister Shahid Abbasi said. Describing development and security as intrinsically indivisible, the Prime Minister said “only by spreading the dividends of open trade and shared innovation we will be able to promote tolerance and amity and deny space to extremism.” The China-Pakistan-Afghanistan trilateral framework was aimed at achieving these very objectives, he added.
The Prime Minister said President Xi’s historic Belt and Road Initiative had become a global public good, beneficial to all and was bringing equality to an unequal world.
“This visionary and futuristic initiative is a win-win proposition aimed at bringing shared prosperity for all.”
Over four decades of reform, China has achieved enviable growth, lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty and transformed the face of the global economy. “We have already begun reaping dividends of CPEC rail, road and infrastructure projects. CPEC investment and its spin off effects have generated thousands of jobs. 10,000 MW have been added to our national grid, ameliorating our chronic energy shortages.”
The Prime Minister said establishment of several Special Economic Zones (SEZs) along highways and motorways was integral to CPEC plans, adding Pakistan aimed to offer tailored incentive packages for the SEZs. “We are confident that these zones will catalyze the development of innovation-based industries in Pakistan.” The Prime Minister said Pakistan’s economy was growing at around 6 percent per annum, the highest in a decade.
“Our capital markets have lately been upgraded from Frontier to Emerging market status. Over the medium-term, our growth rates are expected to surpass global averages. And by 2050, we will be the world’s fifteenth largest economy.” He said Pakistan’s population of 207 million reflected immense human resource potential besides a large consumer base. Gelled together, these two intrinsic strengths portend immense business opportunities.
Abbasi said Pakistan was home to 140 million cellular subscribers and added internet and broadband services had penetrated every nook and corner of the country and e-commerce was projected to grow into a multibillion dollar industry.
He extended heartiest felicitations to President Xi Jinping on the successful conclusion of the Two Sessions and his re-election as the President, adding “under his sagacious leadership, China, I am convinced, will continue to march forward along the path of National Rejuvenation.” The Prime Minister concluded with a Chinese saying that, “The man who moves mountains begins by carrying away small stones.” It is time to lift stones; it is time to move mountains, he added. Earlier Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was received by President of China Xi Jinping upon arrival.
Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Ambassador Masood Khalid and senior officials attended the event.
‘Dangerous escalation’
Separately, during a meeting with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the conference, Abbasi expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK). He emphasised that the office of the UN Secretary-General must play its part in highlighting Indian atrocities being inflicted upon Kashmiris in the IoK.
The prime minister apprised that deliberate and unprovoked ceasefire violations by India along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary are resulting in the martyrdom of innocent civilians. Stressing on Pakistan’s zero tolerance policy towards terrorism, PM Abbasi reiterated the country’s sacrifices in the war against terrorism. The UN secretary-general acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts towards counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance to the Afghan refugees and the UN peacekeeping operations. He maintained that he had been advocating the need for a serious dialogue on the Kashmir issue.