In a bid to effectively monitor China Pakistan Economic Corridor’s (CPEC) progress, China and Pakistan have decided to form a joint Parliamentary Committee. Both countries’ parliaments have been given directives to formulate a constitution for the aforementioned parliamentary committee.
The decision was made on Wednesday, during a virtual meeting between National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and National People’s Congress (NPC) Chairman, Li Zhanshu. Mr. Asad Qaiser was the one who requested the formation of a constitution for the joint committee, according to a statement issued by the National Assembly Secretariat.
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Besides Mr. Qaiser and Mr. Li Zhanshu, the other attendees of the virtual meeting included, Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri, Chairman of the National Assembly Committee on CPEC, Sher Ali Arbabm Chairman of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Ehsanullah Tiwana, Chairman of the Pak-China Friendship Group, Noor Alam Khan and other National Assembly members. On the other hand, the National People’s Congress’ Deputy Speaker, Chairmen of the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Law, accompanied Mr. Li Zhanshu.
Interaction at the parliamentary level as well through standing committees would enhance the already existing bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Mr. Qaiser expressed that CPEC has been a crucial part of Pakistan’s economic development. The existing CPEC projects, as well as the ones underway, are being given proper security to ensure that the projects suffer no hindrance, Mr. Qaiser added.
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Mr. Qaiser further informed Li Zhanshu that once completed, the Rashakai Special Economic Zone would pave way for employment in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province as well as an array of economic activities in the province. The project is expected to be functional soon, he said.
Moreover, Mr. Qasier congratulated Li Zhanshu on the Chinese New Year and on the 71st anniversary of Sino-Pak diplomatic relations. He also stated that for Pakistan, China has been its strongest ally and friend. Pakistan supports China’s territorial sovereignty through the “One-China policy”, he said. The Speaker also appreciated China’s unwavering support for Kashmir and its people, on various international and regional fronts.
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Li Zhanshu appreciated Pakistan’s support to China during the devasting Covid-19 pandemic. He assured the Speaker that providing the Covid-19 vaccine is at the top of China’s priority list. He further expressed how important CPEC was for both of the countries’ economies and that its projects need security to move forward, owing to the recent terrorism episodes in the region.
The chairman lauded the Speaker’s decision to make special economic zones under CPEC. Pakistan’s economy would experience a major boost under CPEC projects, he added.
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