LAHORE:
In a press statement released on Wednesday, Moazzam Ghurki, President of the Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI), highlighted the significant opportunities that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will bring to Balochistan. Ghurki emphasised that regional countries, especially Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, will utilise the corridor for exports and trade through the Gwadar port.
Quoting PCJCCI Senior Vice President Fang Yulong, the statement emphasized the immense potential of Balochistan’s minerals and fishery sectors. Yulong noted that the federal government is taking serious steps to harness this potential for the benefit of the people of Pakistan. He stressed that Gwadar port and various projects under CPEC will bring significant changes to Balochistan.
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The government is particularly focusing on road infrastructure, industrial and agricultural development, employment generation, and provision of basic facilities in the region. Yulong further stressed the need for investments in transportation, infrastructure construction, clean drinking water, agriculture, livestock, information technology, energy, industry, commerce, manpower, and education for the revolutionary development of the neglected province.
PCJCCI Vice President Hamza Khalid stated that the new government is committed to the social and economic uplift of Balochistan to bring it at par with other provinces. He mentioned that Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and China have agreed to allocate dedicated spaces in Gwadar and Tashkent for establishing warehouses to facilitate transportation of goods within the region.
PCJCCI Secretary General Salahuddin Hanif stated that CPEC presents new avenues of opportunities for Balochistan. He highlighted the province’s pivotal role in CPEC due to Gwadar’s central position in the project. Hanif expressed optimism that CPEC will contribute to the overall development of Balochistan and address its economic and social challenges.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 21st, 2024.
