Pakistani govt has boosted China’s confidence regarding CPEC: Ahsan Iqbal

Lahore: Pakistani Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal said the present government had boosted the confidence of China regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Addressing a function here. He mentioned that China was extending full support to make Pakistan an economic power.

“But to achieve the goal it is necessary to establish peace in the country. If we cannot maintain peace in the country; friendly countries will also move away from us,” he remarked.

Ahsan Iqbal stressed that the entire nation would have to get united to defeat extremism and terrorism on every front. He said that there was a time when Pakistan had been considered the leading country in South Asia. “Malaysia and Korea also used to follow the development programmes of Pakistan,” he added.

He further said: “Due to our ignorance and mistakes, we slowly went down, although there is no lack of intellect and talent in the Pakistani nation, the reason is that our individual hard work and ability are not proving effective, thus failing to transform our individual efforts into collective performance.”

He cited, the countries which have developed in the world, have created peace and stability in their country; ensured the continuity of policies and implemented the agenda of reforms, and we also have to make such strategies more effective.

Iqbal underscored said if the entire nation decides that there would be no compromise on peace, stability, continuity of policies and reform agenda, then no one can stop Pakistan from developing fast.