CPEC important for regional prosperity: PM

ASHGABAT: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Saturday the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was important for regional prosperity as he addressed the Global Conference on Sustainable Transport in Turkmenistan’s capital.

The prime minister stressed that CPEC would be beneficial for other countries and Pakistan is the gateway for Central Asia. “CPEC will offer opportunities for hundreds of millions of people."

He added that it was impossible to connect countries in the region without promoting peace. “Peace and prosperity are connected with each other,” Prime Minister Sharif said.

Addressing the conference, the prime minister emphasised that no country could progress without an excellent communication system. “Regional integration and connectivity are one of the key pillars of my government. It enables us to join hands in pursuing our common objective of bolstering peace and development in our region. This is where Pakistan and other countries of the region have the biggest opportunity to work for the betterment of our people.”

The prime minister also expressed Pakistan’s commitment to develop the transport sector.

The Prime Minister reached Ashgabat on Friday on an official visit at the invitation of the president of Turkmenistan who is co-hosting the conference along with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.

The conference likely to be attended by around 1500 participants including heads of state and government ministers, civil society leaders, and the UN officials will discuss promotion and the role of sustainable transport towards achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is also expected to brief UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Indian aggression in occupied Kashmir and the escalation of conflicts between Pakistan and India.

Ealier today, over breakfast the Prime Minister spoke to journalists.

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is returning to the politics of the 90s, he said.

“The charter of democracy has not been able to run its course,” he said, adding that country cannot be run like it was run 70 years ago.

On Friday he met the Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The two sides discussed matters relating to Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan India (TAPI) gas pipeline and re-establishing of air links between their countries, a statement from the PM House said.

The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.