ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriot has said that the British government has no reservations regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEP) adding that the UK fully supports the mega project vital for regional connectivity.
However, the High Commissioner emphasised the importance of transparency and ensuring the benefits of these multi-billion-dollar projects reach Pakistani youth.
Jane Marriot was speaking at a discussion titled “Pakistan-UK relations in New Era” organised by Islamabad Policy Research Institute in Islamabad on Monday.
The High Commissioner said that although the UK has no plan to be part of CPEC however, the UK fully supports this project.
To a question, she clarified the British government does not tow the US government policies and follows an independent foreign policy.
“The policy of the British government is that Britain wants to see Pakistan as a stable and prosperous country”, Jane Marriot said.
This marks the first time the UK has indirectly supported China’s investment projects in Pakistan.
British High Commissioner in her speech said that the British government would like to extend full cooperation to Pakistan in exploiting its full potential for the socioeconomic uplift of its people.
When asked why Britain is engaged in diplomacy in Pakistan to get the Founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) out of jail, she skipped the question, however, she said Britain is interested in seeing accountability, transparency, and inclusive democracy in Pakistan.
She said the British government has helped Punjab and KP governments so that they could deliver to the masses.
British High Commissioner said that a strong Pakistan with a strong economy would be in the interest of everyone. However, she expressed concern that due to the low internet speed in Pakistan, many IT companies are gradually moving out of Pakistan which should be stopped.
IPRI President General Retired Raza on the occasion presented a souvenir to the High Commissioner and thanked her for delivering a lecture under the diplomatic series.
