Sharif inaugurates CPEC projects in Gwadar, lauds China

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who today inaugurated the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in Gwadar, showered praise on Beijing for supporting and contributing towards development in the area.

"I am grateful to China who is very-very close friend of Pakistan. They are also helping in development of Gwadar and other areas of Pakistan. We are doing joint projects in infrastructure and other sectors," the Dawn quoted Sharif as saying.

He further said Gwadar has the potential to become a world class seaport.

"Of course Gwadar is located at a place, which is not only important for Pakistan but also for the region. Gwadar is also one of central points in the CPEC. The CPEC has its impacts not only on Balochistan but the rest of the country. It used to be one of the most backward regions and city of Pakistan but now it is going to be one of the most prosperous cities of Pakistan" he added.

He said that Gwadar is now not only being linked to Balochistan but to rest of the country, adding that he could foresee traffic flowing freely between China and Gwadar.

The CPEC project has, however, drawn a lot of criticism as earlier media reports have highlighted the manner in which it was being constructed against the will of the local population in Balochistan, leading to the heavy presence of Pakistani military and police apparatus in the area.

The Pakistani Army has also been alleged of forceful evacuation of people from their traditional homesteads and farmlands in several areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan so as to make the land available for the CPEC.