KARACHI: President Mamnoon Hussain on Saturday said sea routes were Pakistan’s major strength and thus the country would benefit greatly from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
He was addressing the passing out ceremony of the 53rd batch of cadets of Pakistan Marine Academy (PMA).
Mamnoon said it was necessary for economic stability that all types of propaganda were rejected and joint efforts were made for the country.
The president said CPEC would bring revolutionary economic change and prosperity in the country, as the landlocked countries of Central Asia were also working to benefit from the initiative in order to have access to other regions of the world.
Mamnoon said CPEC had connected western China with Gwadar in Balochistan, adding that there had not been a change in the designated western or other routes of CPEC.
He emphasised upon the need for paying attention towards improving professional capabilities to promote marine trade. He expressed his pleasure that PMA was successfully playing its role in this regard. He said that Pakistan’s brave nation had rendered great sacrifices in the face of terrorism and extremism.
“We are proud of our nation’s courage and armed forces’ spirit of sacrifice,” he added. The president said the officers of PMA had more responsibilities now as the academy was also imparting training to the youth under the Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development Programme.
He said some countries had expressed their interest to send their youth to Pakistan for training in the field of marine sciences, adding that cadets from Maldives would be joining the next course. The president inspected the passing out parade and gave awards to the cadets who had performed exceptionally.
Mamnoon congratulated the graduating cadets and hoped that they would play their role for development of the country. He said that only nations which efficiently utilise their resources for development could successfully meet their national interests.
The president said that Pakistan and the region were ready to move forward for stability on political, economic and defence fronts through China’s cooperation.
Ports and Shipping Minister Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, Ports and Shipping Secretary Khalid Pervaiz and Pakistan Marine Academy Commandant Commodore Akbar Naqi were also present.