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Musharraf for Pak as China?s trade corridor
The Pakistan President has also called for setting up an energy corridor for China, if it was technically feasible.
Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf wants his country to act as a trade corridor for Chinese exports to the rest of the world.
Speaking to Chinese journalists, Musharraf said that the improvement of road links with China would allow larger vehicles with heavier payloads to pass through the Karakoram Highway, thereby improving the trade facilities for Chinese goods.
Musharraf said China was helping Pakistan with developmental projects that were intrinsic to Pakistan's progress.
China, he said was assisting Pakistan with development projects in the fields of communications, nuclear energy, defence production and defence training, health and education.
Several projects, including the expansion of the Gwadar dam project and the Chashma II nuclear power project, were being undertaken with China's help, he said.
The projects, he said, would help in sustaining economic activity in the country, alleviate poverty, end unemployment and help fight extremism, and Pakistan would benefit immensely if the Chinese were to come to the country for joint ventures, trade and investment.
Musharraf also called for setting up an energy corridor for China, if it was technically feasible.
On being asked about the deaths of three Chinese engineers, who were murdered in Hub, he said, "They targeted them to sabotage Pakistan's progress and drive a wedge between the two countries".
He expressed confidence that such incidents will not be successful in driving a wedge and sour the normal friendly relations Islamabad shared with Beijing, reports the Daily Times.
"Our strong friendship with China will not be affected and we will be able to suppress these elements. We will broaden our co-operation and reach agreements which will be beneficial for our relations with China," he said.
Musharraf added that he looked forward to broad-based discussion on all political, commercial ties, defence and nuclear aspects with the Chinese leadership during his forthcoming visit.
