Pakistan will be a trade hub of central Asia through the CPEC: Ahsan Iqbal

Lahore: Federal Minister for Planning,Development & Reforms Ahsan Iqbal has said Pakistan will
be a trade hub of central Asia through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in next coming years.

He was addressing an inaugural ceremony of third Pakistan Urban Forum with theme of “Reimagining Pakistan’s Cities for the 21st Century” arranged by Urban Unit Pakistan here at Alhamra Hall on Friday.

The minister said: “We all should be united and positive, and collective efforts should be made for
development of the country.”

He said the country had lost so many opportunities of development in the past, and instability of political governments always halted the process of the country’s progress while our neighbouring countries with stable policies got rapid progress.

He, however, said the China-Pak Economic Corridor was a great gift for Pakistan’s rapid progress and
hoped the project would be a game-changer.

The minster said today loadshedding was under control, terrorism was being rooted out in the country as well as law and order situation was also better.”The world is also recognising our efforts and the
international media is also terming Pakistan as a new success story”, he added.

He said urban development was purely a responsibility of the provinces after the 18th Amendment but the ministry of planning,development and reforms had established an urban unit for development of cities.

Ahsan stressed the need for manageable growth which was vital to facilitate the masses of cities, otherwise, distortion might occur.

He said so many projects had been started in the country which would change history of Pakistan, adding  academia, youths and private partnership were being involved  in development of the country for getting better fruits.