China came to Pakistan's rescue when others were walking away: minister

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Interior Minister of Pakistan Ahsan Iqbal said that China came to Pakistan's rescue when it was going through the most critical time of its history by launching the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of CPEC Long Term Plan, the minister said in 2013 Pakistan was facing many challenges including power crisis, crash of stock exchange, economic challenges and poor law and order situation. It was China that showed a positive gesture and supported the falling economy by bringing in about 46 billion U.S. dollars investment in the form of CPEC, he said.

"That gesture Pakistani nation will never forget that, while others were walking away, the government and people of China came to Pakistan's rescue and announced to the world that we (China) are investing billions of dollars in Pakistan because it is not a risky country, but a safe country," Iqbal said.

Iqbal said that different road networks are being constructed to connect underprivileged areas across the country with the main route of CPEC to boost and generate economic activities.

About the Long Term Plan of CPEC, the minister said that the plan would expand the scope of cooperation between the countries in various new areas, including cooperation in social sectors along with economic fields.

"This plan is effective until 2030. The short-term projects in it will be completed by up to 2020, medium term project up to 2025 and long term projects up to 2030," he added. Enditem