Army chief calls for open debate on CPEC

[CAD]

ISLAMABAD: Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa wants civilian institutions to step up to the plate and fully benefit from the opportunities coming the country’s way because of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and called for an open debate on various aspects of the project.

In his keynote speech at a seminar organised by the National Logistics Cell on CPEC Logistics on Wednesday, Gen Bajwa said people must benefit from the CPEC for which “leadership, collaborative spirit and capacity building at a much higher pace and level” would be required.

The army chief then said that while the Army provided security to the project, “other national institutions will have to come forward and play their respective roles”.

He twice underscored the need for the “national institutions” to play their role for optimally benefiting from the opportunity provided by the CPEC. “We as a nation can only benefit from this historic opportunity if we prepare ourselves to embrace it. All national institutions will have to make a deliberate effort to ensure success of the CPEC,” he noted in his speech.

The CPEC projects, both Chinese and Pakistani officials say, are progressing well, but on several occasions officials in private discussions point to problems in the execution of the multi-billion dollar infrastructure and connectivity project, which is seen here as a game-changer.

Says no one should have any doubt about Pakistan’s commitment to the project

Gen Bajwa, listing some of the areas that required the government’s attention, said greater focus was needed on education, training and skill development of the youth; improvement in existing laws and regulations for facilitating trade and investment and infrastructure development. Emphasising the need for a “unified development framework”, he said, industrial and urban development was needed for transforming “the trade corridors into economic corridors”.

Analysts believe the project is being weighed down by coordination between federal and provincial governments, lack of clarity about projects and transparency issues.

The army chief called for a fuller and open debate on “all aspects of CPEC” so that policies best suited for the country could be framed.

Such a call for open debate on the CPEC is unprecedented, analysts say.

Improved security
Noting that the military was up to the job of providing security, Gen Bajwa said: “We are making steady but sure-footed progress in making Pakistan a terrorism and extremism-free country”.

He maintained “Pakistan is much safer than before. Peace has been restored in Fata and adjoining areas. Normalcy is returning to Pakistan’s economic hub of Karachi… Similarly, the law and order situation in Balochistan has improved.”

Reaffirming the commitment to the CPEC, he said, “Army and law enforcement agencies are vigilant and are determined to providing foolproof security to the CPEC. No one should have any doubt about our commitment to the project.”

Besides talking about the needs for reforms within the country, the general used the occasion to take a jibe at India for pursuing a divisive agenda.

“CPEC is also affirmation of our efforts for a peaceful and prosperous region. Unlike some countries of South Asia, we believe in focusing our energies on peace and inclusiveness, rather than divisive competition.”

India, whose relations with Pakistan most often remain tense, is now involved in tense standoff with China over the Sikkim border dispute. India has sent in reinforcements to the Sikkim border.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1345004



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[CAD]

CPEC is harbinger of economic development, prosperity, peace: Pak Army Chief

Rawalpindi [Pakistan], July 13 : Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa has called the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a great initiative for the people of his country and said it is a harbinger of economic development, prosperity and peace


Rawalpindi [pakistan], July 13 : Pakistan's Chief of army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa has called the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a great initiative for the people of his country and said it is a harbinger of economic development, prosperity and peace.

Addressing the CPEC Logistics International Forum in Rawalpindi, General Bajwa said Chinese investment in various fields, including energy, infrastructure, Gawadar port and special economic zones could lay the foundation of a fast developing, progressive Pakistan, if the opportunity is optimally utilized.

Terming the CPEC as a 'game-changer', the army chief said the project holds great promise for turning around the economies of Pakistan, Western China and the region.

"Pak-China relationship is based on the principles of peaceful co-existence, commonality of interest and shared perception on regional and global issues. We have always stood by each other through thick and thin and at every critical juncture of our history. That is why we are called as Iron Brothers," Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) quoted General Bajwa as saying.

He said the CPEC is also affirmation of Pakistan's efforts for a peaceful and prosperous region.

General Bajwa said that Pakistan can only benefit from the CPEC if it prepares itself to embrace it.

He added that all national institutions will have to make a deliberate effort to ensure success of CPEC.

The army chief stressed on improving the existing laws and regulations in the country to provide a facilitating framework for trade and investment activities.

"CPEC will bring increasing economic integration between the regional economies on the one hand and reduce the development gap within various regions of Pakistan on the other. This however will require transformation of the trade corridors into economic corridors with the help of industrial and urban development, under a unified development framework," he said

He said the army will provide security to the project but other national institutions will have to come forward and play their respective roles.

Talking about security in the country, General Bajwa said that Pakistan has become much safer than before and normalcy is returning to Pakistan's economic hub of karachi, where business community and common people have started to benefit from it.

"With full backing of our nation, we are making steady, but sure footed progress in making Pakistan a terrorism and extremism free country," he said.

General Bajwa assured that the army and law enforcement agencies are vigilant and determined to provide foolproof security to CPEC.

https://www.outlookindia.com/newssc...pment-prosperity-peace-pak-army-chief/1097882

 

[Clutch]

It is sad that the army chief had to step in to fill the vacuum because the neutered eunuch corrupt nawaz is too busy hiding and sweating hair off...

 

[DJ_Viper]

It is sad that the army chief had to step in to fill the vacuum because the neutered eunuch corrupt nawaz is too busy hiding and sweating hair off...

Oh you don't understand your own country or you are playing dumb! This is the main purpose behind the current drama! Your Army wanted full control over the CPEC and the civs weren't giving it. Look what happened to them. Pakistan has the most interesting power dynamics in the entire globe. Nowhere else do you see this!

 

[Zhukov]

Oh you don't understand your own country or you are playing dumb! This is the main purpose behind the current drama! Your Army wanted full control over the CPEC and the civs weren't giving it. Look what happened to them. Pakistan has the most interesting power dynamics in the entire globe. Nowhere else do you see this!

Yea we don't have knowledge of our country who have relatives and friends all over security forces politicians and Civil Administration.
and you have full knowledge of what happens in Pakistan via internet

 

[volatile]

Gen Bajwa, listing some of the areas that required the government’s attention, said greater focus was needed on education, training and skill development of the youth; improvement in existing laws and regulations for facilitating trade and investment and infrastructure development. Emphasising the need for a “unified development framework”, he said, industrial and urban development was needed for transforming “the trade corridors into economic corridors”.

Political statments ,Army should refrain from such comments already Parachinar episode has raised certain eye brows now with this ,Army is a support unit for this operation not the brains nor the controller , The power game is on

 

[Clutch]

Oh you don't understand your own country or you are playing dumb! This is the main purpose behind the current drama! Your Army wanted full control over the CPEC and the civs weren't giving it. Look what happened to them. Pakistan has the most interesting power dynamics in the entire globe. Nowhere else do you see this!

No... I don't think life is always full of such grand twisting conspiracies... sometimes it's just plain old incompetence.

 

[shahbaz baig]

Good to hear this statement by COAS.. either NAWAZ,ZARDARI or IMRAN will rule the Federal Govt.. it does not matter we are going to build CPEC no matter what.. we are with anyone who is willing to complete CPEC at any cost.. because it is not favor in india .. so thank you MODI jiee you gave us unbroken courage