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KASHGAR, Oct 30 (APP):Pakistani Senator Saleem Mandviwala on Thursday emphasized the urgent need for a robust legal and institutional framework to ensure the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) during his keynote address at the China (Kashgar)–Central and South Asia Rule of Law Forum.
Addressing a gathering of officials, legal experts, and diplomats, Senator Mandviwala outlined a three-pillar strategy inspired by Pakistan’s experience, underscoring the rule of law as the cornerstone of sustainable investment and shared prosperity.
“The BRI is our shared journey toward connectivity and collective prosperity,” the senator stated. “To ensure this journey’s success, we must establish a legal environment built on trust, transparency, and mutual respect.”
Senator Mandviwala elaborated on his vision for strengthening the BRI’s legal foundations, asserting that investor confidence depends on an environment where contracts are enforceable, intellectual property is protected, and profit repatriation is guaranteed.
“Investors have confidence only when these fundamentals are ensured,” he said.
The senator acknowledged that commercial disputes are inevitable but stressed that it is the uncertainty they create that truly hinders investment.
To address this, he proposed the establishment of international commercial courts and arbitration centers as vital mechanisms to build trust among global business partners.
Mandviwala emphasized that a successful legal framework also requires a strong pool of qualified professionals. He called for greater investment in joint legal education, specialized training, and exchange programs to cultivate a new generation of lawyers proficient in international commercial law.
Hailing the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as the “flagship project” of the BRI, Senator Mandviwala announced that the initiative has now entered its ambitious third phase.
He described this new stage as focusing on industrial development, agricultural modernization, and digital transformation across the region.
The senator concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to this vision under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari, pledging to work with all BRI partners to strengthen the legal architecture supporting the world’s largest infrastructure program.
The forum, continuing through October 31, has brought together delegates from across the region to discuss enhancing legal cooperation and aligning regulatory frameworks to advance the connectivity goals of the Belt and Road Initiative.