QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo has said the China-Pak­istan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would bring a development revolution in Pakistan.

During a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Mr Yao Jing at the Chief Minister House here on Wednesday, the chief minister said that Pak-China relations would become stronger after the completion of the multi-billion dollars project.

Mr Jing, who is on an official trip of Quetta, discussed with Mr Bizenjo the Balochistan government’s role in completion of the CPEC project.

The chief minister said the CPEC would bring development and economic revolution in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan.

He urged the Chinese government to include Balochistan’s due share in the CPEC and said his province needed more infrastructure.

“Balochistan government is utilising all resources to provide facilities, including security to Chinese engineers working on CPEC projects. Reservations of the people of Balochistan would end after getting their due share in the CPEC,” he said.

Mr Bizenjo said the people of Pakistan wanted better relations with Afghanistan and Iran as the three nations had the same culture. “We invite Iran and Afghanistan to join the CPEC because the project will completely change the economic plight of the region,” he said.

He said Pakistan wanted peaceful relations with Afghanistan, but the Indian influence on the Afghan soil had disturbed peace in Pakistan and Balochistan.

“Border fencing in Baloch­is­tan has already commen­ced which will halt the cross-border movement of terrorists and smuggling from other side of the border.”

Ambassador Yao Jing said not only for Pakistan but also for China the CPEC was a game changer. “I have met several Senators, MNAs and ministers from Balochistan and assured them that the Chinese government will address all their reservations about the CPEC.”

He said China wanted to sign more contracts for infrastructure, energy and agriculture projects with the Balochistan government and Chinese companies would start joint ventures with the provincial government.

The ambassador said several lavish projects had been included in the CPEC for Balochistan. “Chinese government will walk with the government and people of Balochistan in order to complete CPEC projects.”

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2018