LAHORE: The President SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry Iftikhar Ali Malik Wednesday said wisdom based decision to extend CPEC to Afghanistan is set to deepen trilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiatives(BRI).
Talking to a delegation of industrialists and traders led by Mian Mushtaq CEO Bismillah Housing here today he said it’s good omen that the foreign ministers of Pakistan,China and Afghanistan in recent trilateral talks held in Pakistan a couple of days ago expressed their determination to leverage Afghanistan’s potential as a hub for regional connectivity.He said three foreign ministers also emphasised the significance of ongoing projects such as CASA-1000,TAPI,and Trans-Afghan Railway,highlighting their potential to boost regional connectivity and promote economic development and prosperity in the region.
He said it’s point of satisfaction that it was also equally emphasised on the need to advance “hard connectivity”in infrastructure and “ soft connectivity” In norms and standards.He said the ministers further agreed in principle to explore measures to facilitate the movement of people and trade activities besides boasting transit trade through the Gwadar port.
Iftikhar Ali Malik a veteran octogenarian trade trader of South Asia said a peaceful,stable and prosperous Afghanistan is in the best interest of the region.He said it’s high time to further deepen and expand trilateral cooperation in the domains of security,development and politics guided by the principles of mutual respect,equal-footed consultation and mutual benefits.He
said the security challenges must be addressed that pose a significant threat to regional and global security and directly impacting the stability and economic prosperity of the entire region.He called upon the international community to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation and provide the necessary supplies,equipment and technical assistance to relevant countries in this regard.
He further urged the international community to engage constructively with Afghanistan acknowledging the efforts made under various mechanisms and formats including the neighbouring countries of Afghanistan to promote dialogue and meaningful engagement with the Afghan interim government.Expressing solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, he stressed the crucial need for sustained and urgent humanitarian support including bridging funding gaps.
Winding up Iftikhar Ali Malik reiterated the international community to support the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan and to help Afghanistan improve governance and strengthen capacity building to effectively protect the basic rights and interests of all segments of Afghan society
including women and children.