Shahbaz Sharif Highlights BRI Contributions in an Interview to Xinhua

Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: Noting the expansive reach of projects within the Belt and Road Initiative across continents, Shahbaz Sharif emphasized their significant contributions to poverty alleviation, hunger reduction, investment facilitation, and the promotion of education and health.

Sharif hailed these projects as an exemplary model for fostering global cohesion, stating, “There couldn’t have been a better model for forging global societies together.”

In his inaugural parliamentary address following reelection, Sharif spotlighted the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a flagship endeavor under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Announcing Pakistan’s readiness to enter the second phase of CPEC, Sharif outlined plans to bolster technological advancement and agricultural development along the corridor.

To streamline CPEC projects, Pakistan has established the Special Investment Facilitation Council, aimed at slashing bureaucratic hurdles and enhancing efficiency, Sharif informed.

Furthermore, Pakistan intends to establish industrial parks and export zones, inviting Chinese partnerships particularly in sectors such as textile and steel, leveraging Chinese technology and Pakistan’s labor resources.

Highlighting the potential for job creation and economic growth through these collaborations, Sharif expressed gratitude for China’s pivotal role in Pakistan’s economic progress, notably through CPEC.

Sharif underscored Pakistan’s commitment to transitioning its transportation sector towards electrification to curtail fuel import expenses and redirect funds towards developmental initiatives, alongside plans to adopt clean energy technologies from China and other partners.

Expressing anticipation for future engagements with China, Sharif reiterated the longstanding tradition for Pakistan’s new leadership to visit China post-inauguration, emphasizing the profound ties between the two nations, “China is our second home,” he affirmed.