Kashgar-Gwadar corridor will benefit China, Pakistan: Sharif

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the Kashgar-Gwadar corridor, connecting China to a Pakistan port, would generate employment opportunities and bring prosperity to the country.

Sharif Friday said the project would open up new areas for economic activity and generate employment, Xinhua reported.

The corridor is a 2,000-km transport link connecting Kashgar in northwestern China to the Pakistani port of Gwadar in Balochistan.

The Pakistan prime minister said about three billion people of the region would benefit from this project, which would provide China easy access to the Middle East and Europe, and also benefit Pakistan.

"The project will help save time, cost and freight charges, as it is the shortest route between China, the Middle East and European countries through Gwadar port," he said.

The prime minister said a Chinese delegation would arrive in Islamabad Monday to review the proposed economic corridor project. He added that special economic zones would be established along the economic corridor, and that Chinese companies have shown willingness to set up industries in the zones.

Sharif said Gwadar port has the potential to become a free port, adding that a special status like of Hong Kong could be awarded to Gwadar.