CPEC project was one of six main projects coming under the mega BRI project: Masood Khan.

ISLAMABAD -- Azad Jammu Kashmir President Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan has said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project was one of six main projects coming under the mega Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project.

Comparing the BRI to the Marshall Plan, Sardar Masood Khan said that this project was of considerable economic and strategic importance as this unparalleled transcontinental project will connect countries and continents; thereby, creating a parallel economic world focusing on economic cooperation and development.

The President made these remarks while addressing a Q and A session organized by Islamabad Institute of Conflict Resolution (IICR) on 'China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and its impact on Societal Emancipation of Pakistan and Afghanistan'. The session was moderated by Maj. Gen. (Retd) Raza Muhammad, member IICR Advisory Board, AJK Presidential Secretariat said.

Masood Khan said that CPEC - a $62 billion spanning around 15 years project - comprises of ports, power generation plants and infrastructure development, which has now been made holistic and substantive with the addition of socio-economic development projects like skill development, employment and people to people contacts. '.The focus is not merely on Gawadar Port but Gawadar and every other city of Pakistan, skill development, improving our overall human resource capital and indexes. The CPEC has transformed into an organic relationship between two brotherly nations', he said.

The President said that there is an overwhelming national consensus on CPEC. 'All political leaders, political parties and stakeholders have been brought on board. The people of Balochistan are very optimistic for CPEC', he said while adding that India has been trying to jeopardize peace in Pakistan by carrying out proxy wars in not only Balochistan but other areas of the country. 'We have to brush aside these risks and stay the course', he said.

The AJK President that CPEC must not be mistaken as a substitute for the growing Pakistani economy rather it shall act as a catalyst for economic transformation, modernize its industry, develop its maritime economy, build its human capital, and diversify its trading partners and sources of investment.

Responding to a question, the President said that in 2015 when CPEC was finalized, the US State Department gave a very positive statement over this initiative saying it would help towards development. But later during the Trump...