Political stability must for sustainable development: minister

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday said that political stability is imperative for sustainable development in the country. 

Addressing the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) International Logistic Forum held under the auspices of National Logistic Cell, the minister said Pakistan has paid a heavy price for political instability in the past, and fast development could not be materialised due to lack of political stability and consistency of policies.

The minister said the government has completed a number of infrastructure projects to ensure swift and durable progress in the country. He said equal development of all provinces and backward areas will guarantee the country’s prosperity and progress.

Ahsan Iqbal said that the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) government believes in augmenting the development activities in the country and has started many projects. He said the Gwadar Port project remained suspended due to political instability in the country and the incumbent government has revived this project.

Furthermore, the minister said an important highway linking Gwadar to Quetta has been completed, while the government has also started work on Karachi-Peshawar motorway.

He said construction of Multan-Sukkur highway will be completed by the end of next year under CPEC and a new motorway from Burhan to DI Khan on the western route of the CPEC is also under construction.

Ahsan Iqbal said that the government has also successfully revived Pakistan Railways. He said Pakistan’s economy will get a competitive position after strengthening the logistic sector.

He said nine special economic zones under CPEC are being established with the cooperation of provinces, and relocation of Chinese industry to Pakistan will create hundreds of jobs for the youth.