RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) President Raja Amer Iqbal on Thursday said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was crucial for the economic stability and prosperity of the country as well as the region. While talking to a group of traders at RCCI, he said that the CPEC project must be kept away from politics so all the political groups should show mature approach and avoid making it controversial for the benefit of the people of this region. “CPEC is a mega development initiative, which is regarded as a game changer for Pakistan and the region as well. The CPEC project shows height of an eternal friendship and strategic partnership between Pakistan and China and will serve as a lifeline for our national economy,” he said. He said it was very unfortunate that some political elements were trying to make it controversial. “CPEC is a national project and never belonged to any political party, individual or province,” he added. Rawalpindi was one of the major cities, which fall in the northern part of the CPEC project and there exists a huge potential to boost trade and other business activities in the city, the RCCI president said. He urged the government that Rawalpindi should be included in the CPEC project because due to its location, the city has the potential for establishing cold storages, goods transportation and warehouses to carry out the project at much faster pace. Rawalpindi was a hub of trade involving Kashmir, Gilgit, Punjab and Pakhtunkhawa and has road and rail links with various parts of the country, he said. While highlighting the prospects for the technical manpower, he said when industrial and trade activities would enhance under the CPEC project, it would pave the way for employment opportunities for thousands of people.