CPEC to further push economic upsurge in Pakistan: PM

UNITED NATIONS: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said with Pakistan's economy having recorded a remarkable revival in the past four years, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would further contribute to economic upsurge.

Addressing the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly, he expressed optimism that CPEC would expand exponentially as the Pakistan-China partnership extended beyond energy and transportation to many other sectors.

He said the vision of shared growth - spelt out in Chinese President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative - offered a solid path to prosperity and a model of South-South cooperation worthy of emulation.

"Pakistan's integration into the Eurasian Belt and Road network will provide a firm foundation for Pakistan's rapid economic development," he added.

With a youthful population of 207 million people, the prime minister said, Pakistan was confident that an economic strategy anchored on rising incomes, consumption and production would propel the country towards greater prosperity.

"To achieve these priority goals for our people, Pakistan seeks to build peace within our country and security around our borders," he said.

"We seek good relations with all states on the basis of sovereign equality. We will respond positively to all offers of friendship and cooperation," the Prime Minister added.