Pakistan, China experts discuss CPEC, COVID

The Pak-China Institute (PCI) and the Center for Chinese Legal Studies co-hosted a virtual conference at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) on poverty alleviation, Coronavirus, and CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor).

As per reports, the conference was attended by eminent personalities of Pakistan and China, Pakistani students, teachers, and researchers including Special Assistant to Prime Minister Dr Sania Nishtar.

The conference elaborated on Pakistan's current poverty alleviation strategy, the impact of Pakistan's post-COVID war on poverty, and the role of CPEC in alleviating poverty in neighboring countries.

Addressing the conference, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, Chairman of the Parliamentary Special Committee on Foreign Affairs and Founding Chairman of the PCI, said that there was much to be learned from China's poverty alleviation strategy, as the country has made history by lifting 800 million people out of poverty.

He said that even during the Coronavirus pandemic, China has succeeded due to timely measures, decisive leadership and people's cooperation.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed termed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as the most important diplomatic and development initiative of the 21st century of which CPEC is a key pillar.

Dr. Sania Nishtar, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan for Social Security and Awareness Program, briefed the conference on Pakistan's poverty alleviation strategy.

She said that CPEC is an important model of economic growth and will provide many employment opportunities which will also help in alleviating poverty.

The Special Assistant said that the Government of Pakistan has formulated a strategy to alleviate its poverty called 'Ehsas Program' which includes 140 initiatives and programs.

She informed the attendees that Coronavirus has led to an 18 percent increase in food insecurity in Pakistan, while a nationwide digital survey is being conducted to assess poverty-affected households and the government has adopted a comprehensive strategy to involve the federal and provincial governments. At the same time, it wants to include social security as a fundamental right in the constitution.