PM's Adviser contradicts Financial Times' report over CPEC review, issues clarification

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Commerce and Industry Abdul Razzak Dawood on Monday contradicted a report published in international economic magazine Financial Times regarding the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), ARY News reported.

Speaking exclusively to ARY News, the PM’s adviser maintained that there are some misconceptions regarding his interview with Financial Times and will soon issue a clarification.

Later, the Ministry of Commerce and Textile issued a clarification saying Pakistan rejects the article “especially its title”.

It says that the article was based on statement “taken out of context” and reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to CPEC.

“The statements attributed to Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Textile have been taken out of context and distorted. Pakistan-China relations are impregnable and the Government’s commitment to CPEC is unwavering,” reads the statement.

The magazine, while claiming that Pakistan is mulling over reviewing CPEC terms, quotes him as saying that the previous government did a bad job negotiating with China on CPEC and “gave away a lot”.

The report also says that several other officials and advisers to PM Imran Khan government suggested extending the terms of CPEC loans and spreading projects out over a longer time-frame.

Pakistan introduces new dimensions to take CPEC to further heights

Earlier on Sunday, a meeting between Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar and his Chinese counterpart on Sunday concluded with the aim of making all efforts for the success CPEC.

During the meeting, both the sides expressed their agreement that CPEC- an icon of Built and Road Initiative (BRI), is an engine of rapid growth in Pakistan and manifestation of Pak-China relations that would further promote inclusivity. Both the countries agreed on introducing a mechanism to ensure third country participation in CPEC.

“CPEC is a reality which promises bright future of Pakistan, aimed at initiating a modern era of trade and economic growth. To achieve the new set targets, the government is dedicated to put all energies together to make progress at the earliest,” said Bakhtiar according to a statement issued after the meeting.

https://arynews.tv/en/pakistan-introduces-new-dimensions-to-take-cpec-to-further-height/