Pakistan's economic future depends on CPEC's Gwadar port: PM Shehbaz

On Saturday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the success of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with Gwadar port as its “main component,” was significant for the country’s economic future. He also said that the Pakistan Navy would play a key role in making CPEC a success.

At the Pakistan Naval Academy’s passing out parade for the 117th Midshipman and 25th Short Service Commission course earlier today in Karachi, he said that a “strong and vibrant” navy was more important than ever because of the growing blue economy, marine security, and strategic defence.

“The maritime domain is always changing because of changes in technology and geopolitics,” the prime minister said, adding that these changes were happening globally and in the region.

“And I’m glad that the Pakistan Navy, with the resources it has, continues to do its job and meet our international obligations as well as it can,” he said.

PM Shehbaz said that the country could only make economic progress in a peaceful setting. “Because of this, our government has decided to give the Pakistan Navy all the resources it needs to get stronger and make the sea defences impregnable.”

He also praised the navy for quickly building up its capabilities and working more closely with nearby countries.

“Let me tell you that the country is behind you and will make sure that the Pakistan Navy has the latest technology and tools to protect our maritime interests.”

“Pakistan’s wish for peace is not a sign of weakness,” they said.
The prime minister said that Pakistan believed in “peaceful co-existence” and wanted to help make the area around it friendlier.
We don’t have any plans to attack any other country. But people shouldn’t think that our desire for peace means we are weak or don’t care.

“Any hidden or unnatural plan for supremacy would not work and wouldn’t help keep peace and stability,” he said.

The PM went on to say that those who tried to threaten Pakistan’s defences on land, in the air, and at sea in recent years got a “fitting response from us” and that “this should serve as a reminder message to all those with bad intentions that Pakistan’s armed forces are wholey capable of defending the country against all threats.”

He said that Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah wanted Pakistan to be strong economically, militarily, and have a strong sense of community. “Pakistan’s founder wanted it to be a model for the rest of the Islamic world and for all developing countries around the world.”

PM Shehbaz said that the country’s journey over the last 75 years has been full of “missed opportunities” and many obstacles. But, he said, “But it’s never too late.”

“I am sure that we can still make Pakistan the country that Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal dreamed of if we learn from our mistakes and work hard to make up for lost time.”

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