M-6, M-10 to strengthen Pakistan’s connectivity with China, Central Asia: Aleem Khan

Baku, Azerbaijan, Sep 25 (APP): Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Friday said that stronger regional connectivity and mutual cooperation were essential to address emerging global economic challenges.

Addressing a special panel discussion on the impact of international connectivity at the 2nd International Investment Forum in Baku, he said that almost every country had been affected by the prevailing global economic pressures and under such circumstances, mutual cooperation were essential, said a press release.

The forum was attended by ministers and delegates from more than 60 countries, including Central Asian states, Türkiye, China, United States, United Kingdom, UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Abdul Aleem Khan said that Pakistan had taken stringent measures to reduce Government expenditure while at the same time, infrastructure was being upgraded on modern lines to promote trade, investment and regional connectivity. He noted that recent tensions along maritime routes had resulted in a significant increase in global freight and trade costs. However, Pakistan continues to provide safe and efficient land and maritime corridors for regional trade even in challenging circumstances, he said.

Abdul Aleem Khan said that the ports of Karachi, Port Qasim and Gwadar remained fully operational while Karachi Port handled more than 54 million metric tonnes of cargo annually. Improved regional connectivity is transforming Pakistan into an important trade hub while the country is emerging as a key maritime gateway for Central Asian states, as well, he said and added that Pakistan’s exports to Central Asian countries had witnessed significant growth whereas Pakistan’s exports to Kazakhstan had exceeded US$240 million and exports to Uzbekistan had surpassed US$118 million.

The minister said that the quadrilateral trade agreement among Pakistan, China, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan was operational while efforts were underway to include Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in the regional trade network. He said that Pakistan was also playing a positive role in promoting regional peace and reducing tensions. He said that the agreement between Pakistan and Azerbaijan for 1,500 road permits annually was playing an important role in promoting overland connectivity between the two countries. Similarly, various agreements between Pakistan and Azerbaijan were helping connect South Asia with the Caucasus region, he added.

Abdul Aleem Khan said that Pakistan was continuously upgrading its motorways and major trade corridors. “The M-6 and M-10 motorways will play an important role in providing Pakistan’s Ports with direct access to China and Central Asia while the Mansehra–Naran–Jalkhad–Chilas Motorway will serve as an important alternative trade route to the historic Silk Road and further strengthen regional connectivity”.

He said that Pakistan was placing particular emphasis on Public-Private Partnerships for infrastructure development. At the same time, he said that trade was being facilitated through digital customs and paperless systems to make the process faster, easier and more efficient. Pakistan is also taking steps to connect the CPEC network with the regional networks of the Economic Cooperation Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, he expressed.

The panel discussion held on the first day was also attended by Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov and Türkiye’s Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Simsek, along with Economic Ministers from Uzbekistan, North Macedonia, Syria, Tajikistan and Montenegro. On the sidelines of the first day of the Forum, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan also had an informal meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov.

The two ministers exchanged cordial sentiments and reaffirmed their commitment to further promoting the longstanding historical, cultural and religious ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.