ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed said on Monday that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is our economic jugular vein and some elements do not want Pakistan to move forward with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects as the situation in Afghanistan has made it more important and conspiracies are being hatched against it.
He said that the Taliban have assured Pakistan that they will not allow the Afghan soil to be used by the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). “Some elements do not want Pakistan to move forward with the CPEC but Imran Khan’s government is determined to make it successful,” he said.
Rashid said that one-month visas are being issued to diplomats and others on arrival from Afghanistan while no decision has been taken yet regarding Afghan refugees so far. “There is no pressure on Pakistan regarding the Afghan refugees at the moment,” he said. “The Chaman and Torkham borders are open for trade, while 853 people have entered Pakistan through Torkham.”
The interior minister further said that Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan. “We, together with the international community, want peace in Afghanistan. However, everyone’s focus is on the Kabul Airport right now.”