REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY
“I envisioned Gwadar Port during my long years of imprisonment,” said President Asif Ali Zardari, addressing the Regional Connectivity & Pakistan: Emerging Opportunities conference.
President Asif Ali Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening regional connectivity and economic cooperation, stating that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar Port would play significant roles in promoting regional trade and prosperity.
He emphasized that Pakistan’s strategic location offered substantial opportunities to enhance regional trade, calling the country a “natural trade corridor” linking China, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
The President expressed these views while speaking at the closing session of the International Conference on “Regional Connectivity & Pakistan: Emerging Opportunities,” organized by the Pakistan-China Institute at Aiwan-e-Sadr today. Chief Minister of Balochistan Mr. Sarfraz Bugti, Chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, and President of the UAE-based Global Council of Tolerance and Peace, Ahmed Jarwan Al Mohammed, along with members of the diplomatic community, academia, and media, attended the event.
Addressing the conference, the President shared that he had envisioned Gwadar Port as a shared economic hub with friendly nations, including China, during his long years of imprisonment. The goal was to facilitate regional trade and connectivity. He stated that CPEC and Gwadar would yield long-term benefits for future generations.
The President also noted that Pakistan was exploring options to bring water from Tajikistan to Balochistan. A feasibility study for this project had been completed with the support of the UAE government. He emphasized the importance of revitalizing historic trade routes to further strengthen economic and cultural ties across the region.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister of Balochistan Mr. Sarfraz Bugti appreciated President Zardari’s role in the conception, initiation, and implementation of CPEC. He said that Gwadar Port would be transformed into a significant global port with state-of-the-art facilities to provide access to global markets and serve as a gateway to the world for regional countries. Terming Gwadar as a symbol of hope and opportunity for the people of Balochistan, he remarked that CPEC reflected the long-standing friendship between Pakistan and China. He added that his government was focused on improving governance, public safety, social development, and the empowerment of local communities in Balochistan to ensure inclusive development.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, Chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute, said that CPEC would be pivotal in building new bridges and promoting regional partnerships. He noted that there was great interest in South Asia for connectivity and economic, cultural, trade, and people-to-people linkages, with Pakistan emerging as a principal player in this regard. He also stated that President Zardari’s recent visit to China and his high-level engagements with the Chinese leadership had further strengthened Pak-China relations, putting CPEC back on track toward the development of CPEC 2.0.
Ahmed Jarwan Al Mohammed, President of the UAE-based Global Council of Tolerance and Peace, praised Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional connectivity. He urged the need to build bridges and work together to promote tolerance, education, and business cooperation. – PID
