We have reiterated many times that our total public debt relating to CPEC projects is less than even 10% of the total debt. Moreover, the public debt obtained from China has a maturity period of 20 years and the interest is 2.34 percent. If grants are included, the interest value slides down to about two percent. The claims made by some of the commentators and public officials on Pakistan’s debt obligations relating to CPEC are contrary to facts

Ansar M Bhatti

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China are ‘All-Weather Strategic Co-operative Partners’. We are engaged in prompting peace, development and stability in the region based on the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit, win-win cooperation and shared development.

Our ties are based on deep mutual trust and understanding, said spokesperson of Ministry of Pakistan Foreign Affairs Aisha Farooqui on Friday.

The statement comes in the wake of Alice Wells tirade against China in which she tried to give an impression as if Chinese friendship has not been helpful for Pakistan.

The Chinese embassy on Thursday refuted all her claims terming them baseless and unfounded.

The Foreign Office Spokesperson further said economic development and long-term prosperity of the people was our government’s top priority. CPEC, a flagship project of BRI, is a transformational project contributing positively and transparently to Pakistan’s national development. Pakistan believes that regional economic connectivity will provide a critical stimulus for creating broad-based growth across the region, she further said,

“We have reiterated many times that our total public debt relating to CPEC projects is less than even 10% of the total debt. Moreover, the public debt obtained from China has a maturity period of 20 years and the interest is 2.34 percent. If grants are included, the interest value slides down to about two percent. The claims made by some of the commentators and public officials on Pakistan’s debt obligations relating to CPEC are contrary to facts”.

It is reiterated that CPEC, a long-term project, has helped address development gaps in energy, infrastructure, industrialization, and job creation.

Pakistan and China have several mechanisms to discuss matters of mutual interest. Both countries are regularly in touch to address those issues bilaterally, the spokesperson added. DNA