CPEC game-changer for development of region: Khattak

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervez Khattak hoped that the international community would be our partner in dispelling the negative perception and propaganda against the CPEC.

CPEC is the game changer for the development of the whole region.

It will connect the entire world for trade, business, industrialization and economic development and would ensure expeditious development of the province and country.

He was talking to Australian High Commissioner Margaret Adamson at CM House Peshawar. The meeting focused on matters of mutual interest.

The Australian high commissioner appreciated the provincial government reforms in education, health, policing and other sectors and specially the reforms for elimination of corrupt practices.

The Australian Ambassador offered long term cooperation for the implementation of provincial government strategy. The ambassador was informed about the government steps for education, health, police, tourism and sports etc.

The Chief Minister said his government contributed concrete efforts for durable peace in the province adding that he made attractions for the investors to invest in the province in order to stabilize the economy of the province.

The foreign and domestic investors took well his government pro investment policies adding that within the short span of four years his government succeeded in eliminating corruption, depoliticizing institutions and introduced a transparent governance in all sectors in order to ensure efficient services to the poor and weak segments of the society.

The resources given by the donors were transparently utilized on the public welfare adding that his government reforms agenda led to the institution building in the province which was taken well by the Australian Ambassador.

Pervez Khattak expressed his apprehensions that mobility and study of unregistered Afghan refugees was one of the factors for terrorism and crime rising. We respect Afghan refugees but unfortunately the refugees were left in the lurch by the international community.

The international community did not take care of the education, health and other necessities of refugees and their kids and we are alone in supporting them. Supporting them on humanitarian grounds already overburdened the existing infrastructure of the province, he added.

The Chief Minister termed the efficient border management the key to control terrorism and the international community should help Pakistan in this regard. Throwing lights on his government pro poor policies, he said that he discouraged traditional politics and introduced good governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A set of legislations strengthened our institutions bringing them at par with the international standard. The empowerment of the institutions automatically eliminated political interference and they started delivering, he added.