Some foreign elements are trying to sabotage CPEC: Nawaz Sharif

Islamabad: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday accused "foreign elements" of trying to sabotage the USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project through PoK, an ambitious venture that has raised India's concerns.

He said the project was not against any country.

Sharif was addressing the All Parties Conference called to brief political leader on the project unveiled during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit last month.

Sharif said that the project was aimed at economic progress of the entire region as it would help boost trade and improve connectivity.

Without naming any country, he said that "some foreign forces", which were against the close working of Pakistan with China, were trying to sabotage the CPEC.

He said they must realise that the project was beneficial for the entire region.

He asked countrymen to forge united front for the success of the project.

"The nation must stand united to foil the nefarious designs against the CPEC as those projects were not for a party or an individual, rather were for the country's development," he said.

Sharif said that the region was home to three billion population and the improved connectivity would help the area get out of the isolation of the past.

He said Pakistan government would do its best to remove any ambiguities about the economic corridor.

Sharif said every government in power must work for the progress of Pakistan and should endeavour to hand over the country to the next government in a better condition.

He said different projects under the corridor would be beneficial for the nation.