August 7 – CPEC to promote development in Balochistan as experts and officials meet in Quetta to discuss cooperation and exclusive growth in CPEC Phase 2.
Pakistani officials and experts in Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan province, discussed the vast potential of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to stimulate growth in various sectors within the province.
During a seminar titled “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: Assessing the Transformation of Vision into Reality with a Focus on Regional Connectivity, Innovation, and Security in Balochistan,” officials on Tuesday emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation and inclusive growth in CPEC’s next phase.
Meena Majeed Baloch, a member of the Balochistan provincial assembly, highlighted that CPEC offers significant hope for the youth of Balochistan by providing employment and business opportunities. She mentioned that the provincial government has announced 30,000 vacancies to train youth in various skills, preparing them for future CPEC projects.
She further noted that CPEC is crucial for both Balochistan and Pakistan, with the development of Gwadar port and the donation of the New Gwadar International Airport by China playing key roles in transforming Balochistan and uplifting its underprivileged population.
Sajida Noreen, Vice Chancellor of Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University Quetta, described CPEC as a cornerstone initiative for regional cooperation and economic development, stressing that academia can significantly contribute to the success of CPEC’s second phase in the province. She committed to exploring opportunities and mobilizing the academic community for active participation in the project.
Aetzaz Ahmed Goraya, deputy inspector general of the counter-terrorism department in Balochistan, emphasized the importance of a stable and secure Balochistan for the success of Pakistan and CPEC. He assured that efforts are being made to control insurgency and ensure security for Chinese nationals, noting improvements in road connectivity and the resolve to protect the project from sabotage.
Additionally, Irfan Ashraf, director general of the Centre for Development and Stability, a Quetta-based think tank, stated that the projects in CPEC’s second phase, including green infrastructure and renewable energy, will greatly contribute to the region’s development and stability.
Launched in 2013, CPEC, a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, links Pakistan’s Gwadar Port with Kashgar in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The first phase focused on energy, transport, and industrial cooperation, while the new phase expands to include agriculture and livelihood projects.
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