*ISLAMABAD – Finance Minister Asad Umar has spoken over the issue ofincluding Saudi Arabia in the strategic CPEC Project.*

*He has said that China has no objections over the inclusion of a thirdpartner in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.*

“We are talking to Saudi Arabia on two separate things—trade and oilrefinery,” the finance minister told SAMAA TV.

“The Reko Diq agreement could not be signed without taking the Balochistangovernment onboard,” Mr Umar said.

On September 21, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry had announced that itoffered Saudi Arabia to become its partner in the CPEC.

There were reports that the government is planning to seek Saudi Arabianinvestment in the Reko Diq gold and copper mines.

However, Minister for Development and Planning Khusro Bakhtiar said thatSaudi Arabia wasn’t a partner in the CPEC but an investor.