Pakistan's new PM vows to implement CPEC

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Pakistan's new Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has vowed to implement the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a web of infrastructure projects under the framework of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative. He also stressed that he would personally supervise the progress of all related projects.

Abbasi's remarks came during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong on Thursday, and quashed doubts about the future of the multi-billion-dollar project following the recent political change in Pakistan.

"Beyond CPEC, our economic cooperation will further enhance," Abbasi noted.

Chinese trucks stand on a pontoon during the opening of a trade project in Gwadar port, some 700 km west of the Pakistani city of Karachi on November 13, 2016. /AFP photo

Abbasi's reassurance that the development plans will move forward under his tenure as prime minister came after voices expressed skepticism about their continuity.

Some argued that disagreements have made their way between Pakistani political parties concerning the project, especially in regard to whether the east or west route should be given the priority as the project progresses.

There have been views that uncertainties could shroud some parts of the project if the ruling party loses in next year's election

Then Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif leaves the stage after speaking at a ceremony in Gwadar port, some 700 km west of Karachi on November 13, 2016. /AFP Photo

Sun also conveyed the congratulatory message of the Chinese leadership to Abbasi on his election during the meeting, noting that bilateral ties would further strengthen under Abbasi's tenure.

The CPEC, proposed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in 2013, is a 3,000-km network of roads, railways and pipelines linking Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and southwest Pakistan's Gwadar Port. It is valued at 50 billion US dollars.