Islamabad: Pakistan on Tuesday dismissed India’s concern over the mega project of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) envisaging $46 billion (Dh168.8 billion) Chinese investment.
The adviser to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on foreign affairs and national security said in a statement he was “rather surprised” by remarks of Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj that the project “is not acceptable.”
Sartaj Aziz said the mega project “is all about regional connectivity and economic development and prosperity of the common people of the entire region.”
“There is dichotomy in the Indian pronouncements on the importance of the regional connectivity for development and their negative comments about CPEC,” the Adviser said.
Aziz also commented, in response to the media queries, on the Indian external affairs minister’s advice to Pakistan to help create an environment free from violence terror.
“When India keeps violating ceasefire at the Line of Control and the Working Boundary, indulges in worst human rights violations against helpless Kashmiris in Kashmir, and undertakes subversive activities in Pakistan, then asking Pakistan to create an environment free of violence only sounds ironical,” he said.
Aziz referred to the recent articulation of Indian policy by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar who reported India may counter terrorism with terrorism.
This confirmed Pakistan’s apprehensions regarding Indian “involvement in terrorism in Pakistan,” Aziz said.
“Pakistan is most affected by terrorism and has sacrificed thousands of lives in its counter-terrorism efforts. Terrorism is thus a common challenge, and fighting this menace requires collective efforts,” Aziz said.
Aziz said that Pakistani prime minister’s “vision envisages improved relations with all its neighbours including India.”
It was in this spirit that Sharif had attended the oath taking ceremony of Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi in May last year.
Aziz said Pakistan’s policy all along has been that all outstanding disputes, particularly the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir should be resolved through dialogue.
“Pakistan has conveyed to India that it remains committed to dialogue, provided India is ready. Pakistan believes in a sustained, comprehensive and result-oriented dialogue.
“Pakistan also believes that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are important stakeholders in the final resolution of the Kashmir dispute since they have yet to exercise their right to self-determination as enshrined in numerous UN Resolutions.”
