KATHMANDU – Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan concluded his two-day visit toNepal with a firm commitment to cement the ties between the two countriesusing China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
According to a communique issued by the PM Office, the official visit notonly provided an opportunity for the leadership of two countries to discussbilateral matters but to also share views on issues of global and regionalimportance including CPEC and SAARC.
In a meeting between Prime Minister Abbasi and his Nepalese counterpartKhadga Prasad Sharma Oli, particular focus was laid on China PakistanEconomic Corridor (CPEC) and China’s One Belt-One Road (OBOR) project,which was joined by Nepal in 2016.
Abbasi mentioned that multi-billion Dollars CPEC was the visible andsignificant part of OBOR and had resulted in materializing of severaldevelopment projects in the country including motorways, Gwadar airport,economic free zones, and energy generation projects.
“CPEC would ensure connectivity of regional countries with China and allCentral Asian states and Pakistan was ready to share experience andknowledge with Nepal on the matters related to CPEC,” said the premier.
Regarding Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, Abbasi saidthe project was not confined to the gas supply only but was a flagshipventure which included, railways lines and laying of fiber optic.
The visit also highlighted the importance of the continuity of democracyand premier Abbasi emphasized increasing people-to-people contacts andparliamentary exchanges between Pakistan and Nepal.
“Parliament was an ideal and appropriate forum as the democracy had beenstrengthened in Pakistan and was gaining roots in Nepal as well,” observedthe premier and added that the incumbent parliament in Pakistan was thesecond one in the country’s history which was going to complete itsfive-year term.
Nepalese Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli informed Prime Minister Abbasithat Nepal’s elections were held in three tiers including federal,provincial and local under the 2015 Constitution.
Apart from regional connectivity, both the leaders shared similarity ofviews on eradication of terrorism. Abbasi said Pakistan was not only apartner with countries fighting terrorism but a leader in waging waragainst this menace.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi mentioned that Pakistan had successfully smashed outterrorism where other countries failed to do so, referring to Afghanistan.He stressed enhancing trade and cooperation on tourism between the twocountries and the need to energize Pakistan-Nepal Business Council. Theprime minister also invited the Nepalese investors to invest in Pakistan’sdiverse sectors.
On South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the two primeministers discussed ways to reinvigorate the forum for the benefit of allmember states.