ISLAMABAD – Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi Monday saidpeople of Pakistan were united for completion of China Pakistan EconomicCorridor (CPEC) project despite hurdles by certain powers.
Speaking in the National Assembly, the minister said importance of CPECwas undeniable as it would lead to economic prosperity of the country.
“The completion of CPEC will increase regional connectivity. A new energycorridor will bring prosperity to the region,” the minister added.
Some powers were not happy about CPEC and from time to time they puthurdles in its way, he said adding these powers wanted to createinstability in Pakistan and obstruct its economic progress.
He said these powers were funding people to use them as a tool to puthurdles in the way of CPEC.
Hurdles were put before the nuclear programme of Pakistan but the nationfought back, he observed.
He paid tributes to the armed forces which took immediate action againstthe terrorists during attack on the hotel in Gwadar and lauded the guardwho gave his life.
He said: “By the grace of Allah, whether it was the project of coastalhighway or CPEC, we with unity will defeat the powers which want todestabilize Pakistan. Enemies of Pakistan will be defeated.”
A united voice should go out from National Assembly, he said adding despiteall the differences, the Parliament and nation would not compromise ontheir national interests.
The minister said the government was aware of the security challenges and asecurity division was raised for the protection of economic corridor as itwas foreseen that there would be elements who would create impediments inthe way of the project.
He said the Speaker National Assembly had decided to set up a committee forcreation of South Punjab. “Tehreek e Insaf promised in its electionmanifesto about the constitutional amendment for a new province andPakistan Peoples Party(PPP) is also convinced on the issue.”
He invited PPP to sit together on the issue to find a way out for ensuringrights of the people of South Punjab.
Qureshi said security of chief Jamiat Ulema Islam (F) Maulana Fazlur Rehmanwas not removed but rationalized.
He said the government cared about the safety of Maulana Fazlur Rehman buta motorcade of 20 vehicles was not appropriate.
The impression that security was taken away was not correct, he said whileresponding to remarks of JUI(F) MNA Maulana Abdul Wasay who complainedabout the removal of security saying Maulana Fazlur Rehman was a nationalleader and should be protected.