BEIJING: Pakistan’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Moeed Yusuf said on Thursday that the safety of foreigners in Pakistan is Pakistan’s responsibility, and that Chinese employees and engineers working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are treated seriously.
In an interview with the Beijing Review, the National Security Advisor stated that some countries and its proxy players do not want the CPEC to flourish because they regard the Pakistan-China alliance as a “threat.”
Moeed stated that the CPEC projects have been targeted, noting that India has sponsored and funded them through anti-Pakistan extremist groups operating out of foreign countries.
“Unfortunately, our adversaries will continue to look for opportunities to attack us,” he continued.
Despite these attacks, the NSA indicated that there is clear proof that the Pakistan-China connection is still robust, as the two countries emerged with “stronger and further enhanced security protocols.”
“All hostile forces acting on behalf of external powers to derail the CPEC will be defeated,” Moeed said, adding that Pakistan now has a structure in place to assure the safety of all Chinese citizens in the country.
He emphasised that the CPEC’s full potential will only be realised once the area is at peace.
According to Moeed, the CPEC is beneficial to both China and Pakistan, as well as everyone involved.
“Significant progress has been accomplished on the ground since the project began in 2014.” So far, projects totaling more than nine gigawatts of installed capacity have been completed, and development on other energy projects is progressing at a rapid rate,” he noted.
Roads have also been developed around the country, according to the NSA, to improve internal connection.
“We are beginning the second phase, which is crucial for the country’s industrialisation and connectivity with the rest of the world,” he said, adding that this phase will include investments in a variety of areas, including agriculture and science and technology.
The projects, according to the NSA, will contribute to Pakistan’s internal physical connection, employment development, agricultural modernization, and industrial expansion.
“We see CPEC as a launching pad for Pakistan’s transformation into a regional connectivity and trade powerhouse,” Moeed remarked.
He asserted that Pakistan is an attractive investment destination for China.
In response to a question, the NSA stated that Pakistan does not believe in camp politics and does not want to be pushed into it.
“China has always advised us to have excellent connections with everyone,” he said, adding, “and we have always maintained that Islamabad’s relations with Beijing are not exclusive.”
Pakistan’s positive relations with China, he said, are built on shared interests and mutual respect, and are not directed at any other country.
“We want strong relations with the United States that go beyond merely security.” “Both countries’ authorities are discussing crucial concerns in our bilateral relationship,” he continued.
Pakistan, according to the NSA, wants to protect its national interests by maintaining good relations with all major powers.
Moeed stressed the importance of Pakistan and China continuing to work together to stabilise Afghanistan and prevent it from becoming a safe haven for cross-border terrorists.
“We’re also excited to put into action our shared objective of expanding the CPEC to help Afghanistan’s economy and people,” he added.
