ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) provided the easiest connectivity to the entire region and generated huge economic and job opportunities for the people of the country. The prime minister stated this in a meeting with the delegation of students from Headstart School that met him at the Prime Minister’s Office. The interaction with the students was part of the initiative to invite young leaders and students from various public and private sector institutes, all across the country, to the Prime Minister’s Office, brief them about the working of the highest office of the government and to provide them an opportunity to interact with the prime minister. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had a candid discussion with the visiting students who raised questions on a host of issues ranging from politics to foreign policy matters and from economic issues to various social issues. Responding to a question about CPEC project being a game changer for the entire region, the prime minister said that the project with its connectivity infrastructure and industrial development would not only provide easiest connectivity to the entire region especially to the western China and the Central Asian Republic but would also generate huge economic and job opportunities for the people of the country. Talking about steps being taken to curb incidents of domestic violence and to protect vulnerable communities like that of transgender persons, the prime minister said that the government was taking all possible steps, including legislative measures, for the protection of vulnerable segments of society. He said that greater education, awareness and economic prosperity would also help in fighting these societal issues. Discussing challenges faced by the country on the international front, the prime minister said that Pakistan was actively engaged with the international community to highlight its viewpoint on various issues. While discussing the economy of Pakistan, the prime minister said that the government was making every effort to strengthen the economy through putting in place businesses friendly policy regimes and attracting greater investments in various sectors. He said that a large market and a growing economy of the country was attracting the international community and investors to undertake profitable business ventures. The prime minister also noted that marked improvement can be seen in various areas since the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government took over power in 2013. He said that the achievements and the progress made during the present tenure of the PML-N government surpasses any period of the past. He said that the PML-N government had delivered and had fulfilled its promises made to the people of Pakistan. Published in Daily Times, February 22nd 2018.