Peace in Afghanistan to Boost Economic Connectivity: PM Khan
Pakistani PM Imran Khan said Sunday that peace in Afghanistan is key to increasing economic connectivity with Central Asian countries under China’s global Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), of which Islamabad is a major beneficiary, according to reports.
Pakistani PM Imran Khan said Sunday that peace in Afghanistan is key to increasing economic connectivity with Central Asian countries under China’s global Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), of which Islamabad is a major beneficiary, according to reports.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan told a gathering of business leaders in Beijing that leaders from all the Central Asian countries attended last week’s second BRI conference in the Chinese capital and they mostly talked about Afghan peace as well as benefits it would bring for the region.
“This will have dividends for Afghanistan, and Afghanistan certainly needs peace after almost four decades of war, but it will have a huge impact on Pakistan and Central Asian countries. Peace in Afghanistan would increase connectivity between Pakistan and Central Asia, and of course connect China,” Khan said, according to VOA.
“For the first time, after almost 17 years, there is a prospect of peace. Pakistan is now playing its part in getting the Taliban and the (Afghan) government together and hoping that there will be a political settlement,” Khan stressed.
China has invested more than $19 billion in infrastructure and development of power plants in Pakistan.
It is worth mentioning that US envoy on Afghan peace Zalmay Khalilzad is expected to hold consultations Monday with Pakistani officials about peace talks.
