INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:

Pakistani and Chinese officials on Monday discussed the possibility of Afghanistan joining the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic

Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure project.The idea to extend CPEC, the central part of the Belt and Road Initiative, was discussed during a

meeting between China&s special envoy on Afghanistan Yue Xiayong and Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood in Islamabad.An official statement

said the two sides exchanged views on the political and security situation in Afghanistan, humanitarian assistance by Pakistan and China to

Afghanistan, and other matters of mutual interest.In the context of regional connectivity, both sides exchanged views on extension of CPEC

to Afghanistan to promote economic development and prosperity,& read the statement.The foreign secretary underscored Pakistan&s commitment

to a peaceful, stable, prosperous, and connected Afghanistan

He highlighted the provision of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, including Pakistan&s relief efforts in the wake of devastating

earthquake in eastern Afghanistan on 22 June 2022.He also stressed the importance of unfreezing of Afghanistan&s foreign reserves and

facilitation of banking operations to ease the economic hardships of the Afghan people and help build a sustainable economy.The foreign

secretary further underlined the importance for the Afghan side to address the international community&s expectations regarding inclusivity;

respect for the rights of all Afghans, including girls& education; and effective counter-terrorism measures.He underscored that the

international community&s focus should not be diverted from the dire situation in Afghanistan owing to events taking place elsewhere.Chinese

envoy Yue Xiaoyong appreciated the important and constructive role played by Pakistan in the context of Afghanistan

Both sides agreed that only a peaceful, stable and connected Afghanistan could act as a fulcrum for enhanced regional trade and

connectivity.Earlier, the Chinese special envoy for Afghanistan held talks with his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Sadiq

Both sides took stock of the evolving situation and discussed humanitarian assistance, infrastructure development, as well as trade and

transit initiatives.The post Pakistan, China discuss expansion of CPEC to Afghanistan first appeared on Ariana News.