Gwadar Port, CPEC playing increasingly important roles in region’s growth and change: Former NSA

Lahore: Balochistan’s Gwadar Port and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are playing increasingly important roles in the region’s growth and change, former Pakistani National Security Advisor (NSA) Lt. General Nasser Khan Janjua (retd) said.

He expressed these views in an interactive session on “CPEC-Global perspective & Place of Pakistan” here at Pakistan-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) Secretariat.

“Gwadar is the gift of Allah to all of us; to the entire Asia and the world. We have to reap the benefit of this gift of God and we have to make things happen. CPEC is half of the dream another half resides in Afghanistan, Central Asian republics and Russia and another half goes to Europe,” he maintained.

Janjua mentioned that CPEC was connecting Pakistan with around 86 countries and especially Balochistan can become an “Industrial Hub” of Asia.

He said that connecting Gwadar Port with the northwestern part of China is the goal of the CPEC, a large-scale infrastructure project framework. Transportation, energy, communications, and even cross-industry collaboration are all included.

“With an expected investment of billions of Dollars, the CPEC aims to modernize energy infrastructure, construct industrial zones, and connect various modes of transportation,” he added.

He contended that Balochistan was richly endowed with natural resources. “The province possesses many minerals including coal, sulphur, chromium, iron ore, barytes, marble, quartzite, and limestone,” he underlined.

He further said: “Balochistan has the largest reserves of copper and gold in the world and is also blessed with huge oil reserves. Though rich in mineral resources, so far Baluchistan’s contribution to the economy of Pakistan has not been high.”

Janjua stressed that Pakistan can develop “four cities on the coastal line of Balochistan and it will definitely help us in maintaining the economic stability of Pakistan.”

He highlighted that Balochistan can also boost its export competitiveness and achieve sustained economic development by taking advantage of the trade and investment possibilities brought forth by Gwadar Port and the CPEC.

“Gwadar is not only the heart of CPEC, it is also the heart of Asia .It is a doorway, a gateway to Asia and combined with Chahbahar these are only two entries to Asia. So we should initiate rapid development in this region so that it can boost trade relations,” he emphasized.

The event was attended by many top notch businessmen and members of the PCJCCI.