China rejects India's objections over economic corridor: Nawaz Sharif

Islamabad, Jun 2: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today said China has "rejected" India's objection over ambitious USD 46 billion Economic Corridor that passes through PoK, a day after the Communist nation asserted that the project will "not target any third party".

"I want to inform you that China has already rejected the objections," Sharif told an All Parties Conference in Quetta, which was called to discuss the law and order situation in the province after militants killed 22 passengers after kidnapping them from two buses last week in Mastung area of Balochistan.

Sharif said some people want to sabotage the China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and India lodged complaint with China. The prime minister said he was happy that all parties of Pakistan have agreed on the project.

"I want to congratulate the Pakistani leadership for owning it." The project was launched in April when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Pakistan. It aims to link western China with Gwadar port in Balochistan, allowing China access to Middle East via Arabian Sea.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying had yesterday said in Beijing that the project is a major cooperation framework between the two countries.

"Relevant cooperation carried by China in the relevant region will not target any third party and will not affect China's position on the relevant issue," Hua had said.

Prime Minister Sharif also condemned Mastung killing and said militancy will be eliminated. "Enemies of Pakistan are hatching conspiracies to weaken our motherland since they cannot tolerate development and prosperity in the country," he said.

Balochistan Chief Secretary Saifullah Chattha briefed the meeting on the law and order situation in the province in general and the Mastung incident in particular.

PTI