FM Shah Mehmood Qureshi hints at conspiracies by Foreign powers against CPEC
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ISLAMABAD - Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi Monday said people of Pakistan were united for completion of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project despite hurdles by certain powers.
Speaking in the National Assembly, the minister said importance of CPEC was undeniable as it would lead to economic prosperity of the country.
“The completion of CPEC will increase regional connectivity. A new energy corridor will bring prosperity to the region,” the minister added.
Some powers were not happy about CPEC and from time to time they put hurdles in its way, he said adding these powers wanted to create instability in Pakistan and obstruct its economic progress.
He said these powers were funding people to use them as a tool to put hurdles in the way of CPEC.
Hurdles were put before the nuclear programme of Pakistan but the nation fought back, he observed.
He paid tributes to the armed forces which took immediate action against the terrorists during attack on the hotel in Gwadar and lauded the guard who gave his life.
He said: “By the grace of Allah, whether it was the project of coastal highway or CPEC, we with unity will defeat the powers which want to destabilize Pakistan. Enemies of Pakistan will be defeated.”
A united voice should go out from National Assembly, he said adding despite all the differences, the Parliament and nation would not compromise on their national interests.
The minister said the government was aware of the security challenges and a security division was raised for the protection of economic corridor as it was foreseen that there would be elements who would create impediments in the way of the project.
He said the Speaker National Assembly had decided to set up a committee for creation of South Punjab. “Tehreek e Insaf promised in its election manifesto about the constitutional amendment for a new province and Pakistan Peoples Party(PPP) is also convinced on the issue.”
He invited PPP to sit together on the issue to find a way out for ensuring rights of the people of South Punjab.
Qureshi said security of chief Jamiat Ulema Islam (F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman was not removed but rationalized.
He said the government cared about the safety of Maulana Fazlur Rehman but a motorcade of 20 vehicles was not appropriate.
The impression that security was taken away was not correct, he said while responding to remarks of JUI(F) MNA Maulana Abdul Wasay who complained about the removal of security saying Maulana Fazlur Rehman was a national leader and should be protected.