Webinar Series: China Pakistan Economic Corridor Phase II: Socio-Economic Development and Poverty Alleviation.

Organized by: Centre for BRI and China Studies-Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies and Riphah International University

Speakers: H.E Mr. Yao Jing, Ambassador of People's Republic of China to Pakistan, Ms. Farhat Asif, Founder IPDS, Dr. Nasir Khan, Executive Director of National Vocational and Technical Training Commission, Mr. Qazi Azmat Isa, CEO Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, Dr. Zahid Anwar, Director China Study Center University of Peshawar, Shahmir Ahsanullah, COO Gwadar Gymkhana, Dr Samina Sabir Khan, Head, CPEC Centre University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Farhat Asif, President, Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies: Ms. Farhat shared the felicitation message on the occasion of 69th Anniversary of Pakistan-China Diplomatic Relations. She further explained the vision and mission of IPDS and the Centre for BRI and China studies which is meant to advance the understanding, awareness and creating scholarly dialogue spaces for China and BRI related subjects. She said that Pakistan is facing a mammoth challenge of poverty alleviation. As a result of the growing poverty and economic deprivation, connected trials emerge as well. CPEC is an opportunity corridor and Pakistan need to capitalize this huge chance to help its economy to boost and move ahead.

H.E Mr. Yao Jing, Ambassador of People's Republic of China to Pakistan said that as a result of the coronavirus, Chinese economy, in the first half of the quarter of this year, was slow down, however we are reviving it to make it move full. He said that the poverty alleviation has remained our top priority and 95 per cent of our communities are out of poverty, the remaining 5 per cent will be out in this year 2020 as this year is a landmark year in Chinese economic prosperity and poverty alleviation drive.

Ambassador said that Pakistani government has played a key role in managing the coronavirus and as result of the incumbent government in power, poverty alleviation has remained a top priority. Through the joint working group on Socio-Economic Development, scores of projects have been initiated to help the local communities in Pakistan. CPEC is providing Pakistan a strength that is required to uplift people command their own destiny.

Dr. Nasir Khan, Executive Director of National Vocational and Technical Training Commission, stated that CPEC provide opportunities for employment skills and poverty alleviation. Before Covid-19, NVATTC was close to establish 50 training...