Pakistan categorically rejects 'baseless' claims on CPEC

Pakistan on Thursday categorically rejected the claims of US diplomat Alice Wells that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was finalised in the form of loans or non-concessional financing with sovereign guarantees.

Responding to the queries of media persons at her weekly news briefing in Islamabad today regarding US Ambassador Alice Wells recent remarks against the corridor project, Foreign Office Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui today clarified that the total CPEC debt is about 4.9 billion dollars which are not even ten percent of the country’s total debt.

The spokesperson said that the CPEC is a long term project negotiated through a multi-layered process. It has helped Pakistan to address development gaps in energy, infrastructure, industrialization and job creation. She stressed that it should be perceived in terms of enormous economic benefits for the people of Pakistan and social-economic development. She said we believe it is also beneficial for regional connectivity and prosperity.

The spokesperson said Pakistan and China are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. The CPEC is a transformational project for Pakistan and its expeditious completion is our top priority. In that regard, a CPEC authority has recently been established to oversee the completion of the projects.

Aisha Farooqui said that twelve corridor related power projects have either been completed or are under construction with the total capacity of seven thousand two hundred and forty megawatts with an investment of 12.4 billion dollars.

Another nine power projects are at an early stage with a capacity of six thousand three hundred and ninety megawatts. She pointed out that these energy projects contribute over fourteen percent of the total energy supplies in Pakistan. She said these projects have also paid about two hundred and fifty million dollars in taxes during the construction phase and have created over ten thousand jobs.

She said all countries are welcomed to invest in special economic zones of CPEC.

Responding to a question, the spokesperson said Pakistan has taken a whole range of steps to meet the requirements of the FATF. He said we remain closely engaged with the FATF members including the United States.

Aisha Farooqui said Pakistan welcomes US President Donald Trump’s mediation offer on Kashmir dispute and hoped these will be translated into some actions.

When asked about the induction of S-400 Air Defense system by India, Aisha Farooqui said Pakistan has repeatedly expressed concerns over the induction of ballistic missile defense system in our region. She said such destabilizing systems can undermine regional stability and may lead to an unnecessary arms race. She said Pakistan has proposed discussion on a strategic restraint regime for South Asia which includes the proposal to avoid the induction of the destabilizing weapons.

The spokesperson said the induction of the ballistic missile defence system by India should not lead to any false sense of security and any misadventure since Pakistan has the technological capability to ensure the continued efficacy of its deterrence.

She expressed the confidence that extra-regional countries will be mindful of the legitimate security concerns of Pakistan.

To a question, the spokesperson reiterated support for one China Policy saying there is only one China and Taiwan is part of it.