CPEC II agreement made with China, says FM Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Sunday that Pakistan has signed China Pakistan Economic Corridor agreement with China phase II, under the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf led government, adding that the contract has gone onto the next phase.

The FM was addressing a ceremony in the capital, where he said that the CPEC project is in no danger.

He said that the next phase of the CPEC will primarily deal with poverty alleviation as the initial phase under the previous government was about multiple projects involving metros and Orange Line Train.

While responding to a question about the ongoing tensions with India, the foreign minister said that the issue has not subsided completely and the ties are still strained.

“In the coming days there are more tests,” he said.

FM Qureshi said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that isolating Pakistan diplomatically is their country’s policy.

He said that it is feared that Modi might do a misadventure as an election gimmick. “If you raise your hand for friendship then we will hold it if your show us fist for war then we will break it,” he said.

The FM said that Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan and PM Imran always said that the Afghan issue can be resolved through negotiation.

He said that improving ties with the US is in Pakistan’s favour and President Donald Trump has also acknowledged the government’s peace efforts.