Belt and Road Initiative important source of int'l connectivity: PM

April 26, 2019: Prime Minister Imran Khan has called for joint efforts towards addressing impediments on the way to sustainable growth.

Addressing the 2nd Belt and Road Forum in Beijing today, he put forward five points to further expand the Belt and Road Initiative of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The Prime Minister said we must undertake joint efforts to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change, establish BRI tourism corridors to promote people to people and inter cultural understanding, anti-corruption office, poverty alleviation fund and concerted efforts to further liberalize trade and investment flows encouraging the private sector and businesses to collaborate in projects.

The Prime Minister said BRI offers a model of collaboration, partnership, connectivity and shared prosperity. The presence of so many leaders today is the proof that we choose hope over despair and cooperation over confrontation. 

Imran Khan said Pakistan is amongst BRI's earliest and most enthusiastic proponents. He said that CPEC-one of BRI's major components- has made substantial progress. He said it has addressed our energy and infrastructure gaps. He said Gwadar once a small fishing village is transforming rapidly into a commercial hub.

The Prime Minister said that Pakistan and China are entering the next phase of CPEC with focus on socio economic uplift, poverty alleviation, agricultural cooperation and industrial development. We are expanding the frontiers of knowledge through deeper cooperation in the fields of education, innovation and technology. Along the length of CPEC, special economic zones to be set up. He said both the countries are signing the second phase of Free Trade Agreement to further bolster our trade and economic relations. 

Imran Khan said we are changing economic landscape of Pakistan and the destiny of its people. He thanked China and its leadership for extending unwavering support to Pakistan. He said our relations remain strong and unbreakable standing tall in the face of any challenge.

Imran Khan said Pakistan will continue to work on the basis of mutual respect and equal opportunity with china and other BRI partners for better future of our peoples.

Prime Minister Imran Khan also invited the international investors to make use of Pakistan's liberal investment regime and participate in the country's economy especially in the sectors of infrastructure, railways, dams, Information Technology and Manufacturing.