Pakistan to complete CPEC just like its nuclear programme: Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Monday that whole nation was in favour of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and it would be completed just like the nuclear programme, ARY News reported.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi, while speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, said that no objections are being raised on CPEC project and the whole nation is united on it.

The foreign minister praised efforts of security forces by taking timely action against terrorists to establish peace across the country.

Qureshi said that the project will increase opportunities for regional connectively and bring prosperity to the region.

“Enemies cannot see us being a developed and prosper country. However, We will complete the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) just like our nuclear programme.”

He said, “The powers, which are willing to destabilise Pakistan, use facilitators [to carry out terrorism activities. I want to give a clear message to the enemies that the whole nation and parliament is united on CPEC. I want to give a message that we have complete our nuclear programme despite hurdles and Insha-Allah we will not let our enemies become successful [in their conspiracies against Pakistan].”

Qureshi further said, “Overall three bills are presented for South Punjab. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is with its promise to give its due right to South Punjab. I want to invite opposition for bringing a joint bill after making a committee on South Punjab.”

Earlier on Sunday, the foreign minister had said some forces wanted to destabilise Pakistan and harm the China Pakistan Economic Corridor project.

“Foes of Pakistan cannot see the CPEC making progress, offering greater connectivity and commercial activities to the region,” Shah Mehmood Qureshi said while talking to journalists in Multan.

Referring to the Gwadar terrorist attack, he said Pakistan would not blame any country without proper investigation.

To a question, the federal minister said the Pakistan Air Force would respond befittingly in case of any misadventure by India.

Talking about the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement, he said the nation would have to think that why Pakistan had to approach the IMF.

“When the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government came into power, it came to know how much Pakistan’s trade deficit was. We had a total difference of Rs19 billion in imports and exports. There was no investment in the country and circumstances were growing worse,” he said.

FM Qureshi said the PTI government made efforts to control the situation. The trade deficit had increased enormously, he added. He said the government was trying to bring as many people in the tax net as possible.