On Sunday, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed his satisfaction regarding the reopening of Khunjerab Pass, stating that it would boost bilateral trade between Pakistan and China.
In a press release from the PM Office Media Wing, the prime minister welcomed the event as a means to enhance trade with their “Iron brother China”.
READ MORE: Khunjerab Pass reopens for Pakistan, China trade
He acknowledged that reopening the Pass would remove an obstacle and further speed up the progress of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The restoration of the trade route between the two countries, after three years, was a moment of great joy, he added.
The prime minister vowed to advance on CPEC with twice the speed of 2018. He expressed that CPEC was a gift of progress and prosperity given by Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and the Chinese leadership for the region and its people.
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He thanked the Chinese leadership for their support and cooperation, and criticized a foreign-funded individual who had created controversy over CPEC.
The prime minister also praised the relevant authorities of both countries and team members for their efforts in restoring trade and travel facilities.
CPEC is a collection of infrastructure projects that aim to connect China’s western province of Xinjiang with the Pakistani port of Gwadar, situated on the Arabian Sea.
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The corridor consists of a network of highways, railways, and pipelines, along with special economic zones and other infrastructure development projects.
It is part of China’s broader Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aims to promote trade and connectivity across Asia, Europe, and Africa.
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The CPEC project has been hailed by both China and Pakistan as a game-changer for their economies, providing Pakistan with much-needed infrastructure and investment, while giving China an alternate trade route to the Middle East and Europe.
