The Center for Global & Strategic Studies organizes a seminar on the Belt and Road Initiative to discuss the project's progress on April 17 (FILE)

The Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS) organized a seminar on the Belt and Road Initiative to discuss the project's progress and evaluate emerging opportunities for local communities. The speakers panel included Ambassador Akram Zaki, Dr Akram Sheikh, Brigadier Akhtar Nawaz Janjua SI(M) (retd), Mr Makhdoom Babar and Mr Amer Hashmi, as well as the guest of honor, Deputy Head of Mission at the Chinese Embassy to Pakistan Mr Zhao Lijian.  

The purpose of the seminar was to discuss the six trade corridors planned under the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative with a greater emphasis on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is now leading Pakistan into a new era of progress and development. In his concluding remarks, the chairman of CGSS said that CPEC is a prime opportunity for Pakistan, but the country cannot lose focus of its domestic priorities. The seminar represented a step forward in aligning the various parties but there is still work to be done. In the coming days CGSS will organize more talks where further discussions will be held on how to make the Pakistani people an integral part of this initiative. 

CPEC is a promising venture which has uplifted Pakistan's economic performance and has had a positive impact on its diplomatic and strategic relations around the world. CGSS salutes the initiative of CPEC as being in the best interests of the people of Pakistan. Various aspects of CPEC are being continuously analyzed by its think tank under the CPEC project, serving as the inspiration for the seminar.