Political stability vital for sustainable development: Ahsan

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said that political stability is a must for sustainable development.

He was addressing a China-Pakistan Economic Corridor International Logistic Forum held in Islamabad on Thursday under the auspices of National Logistic Cell.

The Minister fast development could not be materialized in Pakistan due to lack of political stability and consistency of policies.

He said equal development of all the provinces and backward areas is a guarantee to country's prosperity and progress. He said Pakistan has paid a heavy price for political instability in the past.

The Minister said that the PML-N-led government believes in augmenting the development activities in the country and has started many projects in this regard. He said that Gwadar Port project has been remained suspended due to political instability in the country and the incumbent government has revived this project.

Ahsan Iqbal said the government has also completed a number of infrastructure projects to ensure swift and durable progress in the country. He said an important highway linking Gwadar to Quetta has been completed. He said the government has also started work on Karachi-Peshawar motorway. He said construction of Multan-Sukkur highway will be completed by the end of next year under CPEC and a new motorway from Burhan to DI Khan on the western route of the CPEC is also under construction.

Ahsan Iqbal said that the government has also successfully revived Pakistan Railways. He said Pakistan's economy will get a competitive position after strengthening the logistic sector.

He said nine special economic zones under CPEC are being established with the cooperation of provinces.

He said relocation of Chinese industry to Pakistan will create hundreds of jobs for country's youth.