ISLAMABAD: The China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) on Thursday launched a special edition of its Pivot Magazine highlighting the ten years achievements of the first phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The Pivot report also countered the hostile propaganda against the CPEC initiative in an effective manner.
Large number of diplomats, academia, experts and media attended the launching ceremony of the special edition of the Pivot Magazine titled “10 Years of CPEC; Unlocking Pakistan’s Potential and Future Prospects”.
Former Pakistan’s ambassador to China, Ambassador Masood Khalid in his remarks said Pakistan has benefitted from the CPEC and scores of projects have been completed that added to the economic security and stability of the country.
He went on to say that there have been agriculture, science and technology, social development and other new components of CPEC that made this initiative an all-encompassing initiative.
He strongly believed that we should thank Chinese friends for supporting Pakistan when it was facing serious energy and technology deficits. He pointed out that the CPEC has unleashed a new path for development in Pakistan where all of its regions want to benefit from the dividends of the CPEC.
He noted the CPEC has opened new opportunities for Pakistan and has increased interest among the regional countries to benefit from it’s ports for their international trade.
In his opening remarks, Director General, ISSI Ambassador (R) Sohail Mahmood said the Pivot new edition has a particular significance as it sheds light on the ten years journey of Pakistan and China. He extended his gratitude to the senior Chinese Embassy colleagues for their cooperation in compiling the publication.
He said that over the past seven decades, the Pakistan-China ties have emerged as all-weather strategic friendship. He said under CPEC, over 200,000 jobs have been created, and 30 projects related to energy and infrastructure have been completed.
The ISSI DG noted the second phase of CPEC focuses on energy mining, agriculture, e-commerce and other sectors. He added that it will also cater for many other connectivity initiatives like ML-1, Karachi Circular Railway, and the full operationalization of the Gwadar Port.
He added that the leadership of both Pakistan and China have agreed that the CPEC had entered into a new modern phase.
CPEC a game changer for Pakistan, region
Head CPSC, ISSI and Chief Editor of Pivot, Dr Talat Shabbir briefed the participants about the magazine’s special edition. He termed the CPEC as a game changer for Pakistan and the region, whereas it has emerged from an infrastructure initiative to a multisectoral enterprise of economic progress.
Dr Shabbir said the Pivot Special edition is highlighting the achievements of Pakistan and China under CPEC in chronological order.
He added that the CPEC has created a platform for cross-border cooperation between investors and traders of both the friendly countries, bringing communities closer and together.
Executive Director, Euroasian Century Institute, Irfan Shahzad in his views said the issues indicated by Pivot special edition are pertinent, whereas the publication can be used by practitioners, researchers and students working on CPEC.
Former, Pakistani envoy to China, Naghmana Hashmi said the Pivot special edition is the high potency dose of positivity on CPEC which is very timely and urgently required on CPEC.
She added CPEC has played an important role in the development of Gwadar Port. She said the second phase of CPEC would bring new jobs and increase trade and investment opportunities.
Negative propaganda against CPEC
The media experts on the occasion stressed the need to counter the negative propaganda against CPEC specially to sensitize the masses to know that the CPEC is a transformational project.
Acting, Deputy Head of Mission, Chinese Embassy, Bao Zhong credited the leadership of China and Pakistan including the media, think tanks, and business community, and all those who played their role in making the CPEC a successful project.
She added the CPEC is the corridor of growth, livelihoods, green development, and openness.
Director General China, MoFA, Mohammad Aamir Khan said the CPEC has given a new dimension to Pakistan-China friendship and cooperation. He added the CPEC has helped in the development of over $25 billion infrastructure, and 8,000 MW electricity generation capacity.
Chairman ISSI BoG, Ambassador Khalid Mehmood said Pivot magazine has always promoted the China-Pakistan exemplary development promotion through the CPEC. He added that the CPEC project had the distinction of combining both sea and land with a confluence point at Gwadar under its projects which would give a boost to western China.
