PAKISTAN SAYS CPEC A FRAMEWORK FOR REGIONAL CREATIVITY

Pakistan maintains that the China-pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a framework of regional connectivity and will not only benefit China and Pakistan but will also have a positive impact on Iran, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, India, Central Asian Republics and the region.

This was revealed by High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, Dr. Shahid Ahmad Hashmat delivering a lecture on “China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC): A New Vision for Regional and Global Connectivity and Economic Cooperation” on the invitation by the Association of Retired Flag Rank Officers (ARFRO), Sri Lanka, at an event held at the Naval Headquarters on Thursday, the High Commission said.

The event was attended by Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lt. Gen. N.U.M.M.W. Senanayake, Commander of Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe, students of Defence Command and Staff College and KDU, senior retired officers of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces and officials of the High Commission of Pakistan. The High Commissioner also underscored that the CPEC will act as a catalyst for connecting China and South Asia to Central Asia, Eurasia, West Asia and vice versa along with Pakistan’s enhanced connectivity with many countries in various regions for economic progress.

Ultimately, Pakistan will become a trading hub for the region as well as for extra regional trade and transit, he added. Dr. Hashmat said that the Chinapakistan Economic Corridor project is a flagship venture of China’s Belt and Road Initiative which aims to accelerate economic growth across the world.

On Sri Lanka-pakistan relations, the High Commissioner said that both countries are linked by strong bonds of culture and history and enjoy very cordial relations.

The event was attended by Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lt. Gen. N.U.M.M.W. Senanayake, Commander of Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe, students of Defence Command and Staff College and KDU, senior retired officers of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces and officials of the High Commission of Pakistan