KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s two-day visit to Nepal has not only provided an opportunity for the leadership of two countries to discuss bilateral matters but to also share views on issues of global and regional importance including CPEC and SAARC.
In a meeting between Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and his Nepalese counterpart Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, particular focus was laid on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project, which was joined by Nepal in 2016.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi mentioned that CPEC was the visible and significant part of BRI and had resulted in materializing of several development projects in the country including motorways, Gwadar airport, economic free zones and energy generation projects.
He said CPEC would ensure connectivity of regional countries with China and all Central Asian states.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said Pakistan was ready to share experience and knowledge with Nepal on the matters related to CPEC.
On Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, the prime minister said the project was not confined to the gas supply only but was a flagship venture which included, railways lines and laying of fiber optic.
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The visit also highlighted the importance of continuation of democracy and Shahid Abbasi emphasized increasing people-to-people contacts and parliamentary exchanges between Pakistan and Nepal.
He said parliament was an ideal and appropriate forum as the democracy had been strengthened in Pakistan and was gaining roots in Nepal as well.
“The incumbent parliament in Pakistan is the second one in the country’s history which is going to complete its five-year term,” he said as both the leaders shared similarity of views on eradication of terrorism.
The PM said Pakistan was not only a partner with countries fighting terrorism but a leader in waging war against this menace.
He mentioned that Pakistan had successfully eliminated terrorism whereas other countries failed to do so as in Afghanistan.
The prime minister called for enhancing trade and cooperation on tourism between the two countries and the need to energize Pakistan-Nepal Business Council. He also invited the Nepalese investors to invest in Pakistan’s diverse sectors.
On South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the two prime ministers discussed ways to reinvigorate the forum for the benefit of all member states.
The premier said Pakistan was ready to hold SAARC summit scheduled in November 2016, which was postponed.
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He stressed that the potential of SAARC was not being exploited up to the mark and hence there was a need to hold the next summit on priority basis.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi emphasized that through dialogue, the countries in the region could achieve the fruits of progress, development and prosperity. The leaders also discussed the Kashmir issue and the ongoing human rights violations in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
