Pakistan rejects British media report about CPEC

islamabad — Pakistan on Monday rebutted a report “Pakistan rethinks its role in China’s Belt and Road plan” published by British newspaper Financial Times on Sunday, saying that it was based on a statement taken out of context and distorted.

The report attributed to Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Textile, Abdul Razak Dawood, claimed that Pakistan plans to review or renegotiate agreements reached under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative. However, the Ministry of Commerce and Textile in a statement rejected the article and termed it as false reporting.

“During the recent visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the two sides reiterated the allweather strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China and also reaffirmed their commitment to CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor),” said the statement.

According to the statement, Pakistan reassured the Chinese side that CPEC is a national priority for the government, adding that the Chinese side also highlighted the significance of CPEC for both sides.

The ministry made it sure that there is a complete unanimity between the two sides on the future direction of CPEC and that Pakistan-China relations are impregnable and the government’s commitment to CPEC is unwavering.

Meanwhile, China on Tuesday rejected a Financial Times report that Pakistan is mulling to negotiate the terms of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key part of Beijing’s ambitious Belt and Road project.

“We have noted the relevant report, also noted that a relevant Pakistani official made a clarification on his remarks. On September 10, Pakistani Commerce Ministry issued a statement that remarks cited by Financial Times were out of context and distorted its original meaning. The Pakistan side refused to recognise this report,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said in Beijing. —

During the recent visit of Chinese Foreign Minister, the two sides reiterated the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China

The Ministry of Commerce, Pakistan