CPEC to address Pakistan's energy shortage, boost regional economy: FM advisor

A senior Pakistani official said on Tuesday that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will help address the country's energy shortage and bring enormous economic potential not only for Pakistan but also for different regions including the Gulf.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of a three-day conference on CPEC and regional integration in Islamabad, the prime minister's adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz stressed that various power projects under the CPEC are being implemented and will add about 17,000 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.

"About six to seven thousand megawatts will come in the system in the next two years' time. Overcoming the energy shortages will also help enhance our GDP growth which is expected to move to 5 percent this year," the adviser said.

Meanwhile, he emphasized the need to diversify Pakistan's exports so as to enlarge the benefits brought by the CPEC.

"Our private sector and entrepreneurs should be more forthcoming to bring value addition in the industrial parks to be established in each province under the mega project. We also have to reorient our training programs in order to meet the workforce demand in the industrial parks," said the advisor.

He is confident that the CPEC has the element to make Pakistan self-reliant in different spheres.

Aziz added that steps have been taken to ensure security of the Chinese personnel engaged in execution of different projects under the CPEC.

At the same time, Pakistan Navy on Tuesday launched a special task force for the maritime security of the CPEC. The special force was inaugurated at Gwadar port in Balochistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen. Zubair Mahmood Hayat lauded the role of Pakistan Navy to secure the maritime environment for the flagship project of the CPEC.

The Chairman said that the CPEC and Gwadar port will usher in new arenas of prosperity in the entire region. Endit