ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reassured Chinese companies and investors that the “difficult time for them is now over.”
During an award ceremony in Islamabad, the premier stated that he was aware Chinese companies had faced tough times and encountered problems in the recent past under the previous government’s tenure.
He said, “We are going to do this under one umbrella as a one window operation and this I mean in letter and spirit… not just words but true implementation”
Vision for a stronger cPEC
PM Shehbaz also pledged to Chinese investors that his government would further simplify procedures for companies operating in Pakistan, particularly those involved in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and would ensure their full implementation.
He emphasized that the Chinese government and companies played a vital role in promoting Pakistan’s industrial growth across various sectors.
Their contributions not only generated job opportunities and increased industrial production but also bolstered the bilateral economic relations between the two nations.
Earlier, the prime minister presented awards to top-performing Chinese companies, particularly those involved in CPEC projects in Pakistan.
He recently highlighted that the two friendly countries commemorated a decade of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as part of the Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI).
The PM expressed that China’s investment of $30 billion under CPEC has significantly transformed Pakistan’s economic landscape.
“Now we are entering into the second phase of CPEC in which multiple new areas are being incorporated including the green corridor, Information Technology, and Special Economic Zones,” he further added.
The premier announced the launch of a significant initiative called “The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC)”. This council will include all main stakeholders, such as the federal government, provincial governments, and institutions, with particular emphasis on the leadership of General Syed Asim Munir from the Pakistan Army.
The PM praised the army chief’s personal dedication to the program. He emphasized that it had no parallel in the past.
The army chief was wholeheartedly committed to promoting the cause of Pakistan and providing opportunities for educated and talented individuals who were currently unemployed.
He further added, “The programme SIFC will dovetail with the entire CPEC mechanism and will be a propeller in terms of Pakistan’s industrial agri progress.”
