CPEC has brought Pakistan on a convergence of civilisation point: British Think Tank

LONDON: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) provides a rareopportunity for the ‘convergence of global civilisations’ with potential totransform lives of billions of people if the opportunities offered by thisproject are availed, speakers said at a conference in London.

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and the London Institute ofSouth Asia (LISA) organised a joint conference which was addressed bymembers of think-tanks and professionals who are linked with the project.Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK Syed Ibne Abbas was present at theconference and invited Britain to become a partner in the project.

Speakers looked at various aspects of the project and assessed theopportunities and risks related to the project that’s seen globally as agame changer in the region. They said that regional countries, neighbours,Europe and America can associate with the project and become part of thephenomenon that’s unfolding in the region as a result of the CPECdevelopment.

Saeed Ismat, LISA’s UK director, said that vision of the CPEC is huge andit is set to transform Pakistan and many other countries that have joinedit. He said the corridor offers opportunities for the convergence ofcivilisation.

Ismat said there’s Russia on one side, Hindu civilisation is there,Pakistani and Muslim civilisation is there; there is China, Arab andEuropean civilisation nearby to the project. “It’s a great convergencepoint. This can create cultural and political harmony.”

Stressing on the need for diplomacy to counter any conspiracies, he saidthat India and the United States need to be engaged diplomatically andPakistani viewpoint explained to them for CPEC’s success.

Ismat said that Pakistan has already invited India and Afghanistan to jointhe project and become its part, adding that it’s in the interest of localpowers to join Pakistan to end poverty and deprivations.

Pakistan-Britain Business Council’s Julian Hamilton Barnes said thatopportunities are profound and massive investment will take place ininfrastructure, fiber development, real estate and energy.

“CPEC brings enormous investment to Pakistan, there are enormous additionalbenefits; these projects create work and help economy. There are risks onthe political side and political parties have to be brought together,”Barnes said.