ISLAMABAD: In order to fully realise the potential of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has emphasised the need for expedited changes that will make the ECO more dynamic and effective.
PM Kakar urges ECO member countries: Speaking at the 16th ECO Summit in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, he asserted that a connected area may benefit our peoples much in terms of both economic growth and peace.
The Prime Minister said that the ECO’s corridor-based strategy for optimising potential was a positive move. These corridors will improve communication between the participating nations and bring in a new phase of rapid economic expansion for the entire area.
According to him, the corridor projects will make it easier for the private sector to expand its commercial and investment potential.
Calling the operationalization of the Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad corridor a major achievement, he added that Pakistan is modernising its road and rail networks to support trade with its neighbours and other regions. He stated that to ease trade, it is essential to inform about more border crossing sites within the ECO region.
Afghanistan, according to Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, is essential to regional connectivity. Pakistan expressed eagerness to closely collaborate with other ECO members to achieve the common objective of creating a connected, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan through initiatives like TAPI, CASA 100, and the Trans Afghan Railways.
“ECO Summit Highlights: Trade, Investment, and Humanitarian Appeals”
The quota under the ECO trade agreement is a historic preferential trade arrangement, the prime minister noted. He pleaded with the participating nations to ratify the quota in order to advance regional trade.
He highlighted the most recent changes to Pakistan’s investment environment, stating that the government has formed a Special Investment Facilitation Council that will act as a single point of contact for collaboration in five important areas: mining, IT, energy, agriculture, and defence manufacturing. The mandate of this body includes directing all government entities and ensuring the follow-through and implementation of policies.
The Prime Minister denounced Israeli abuses in Gaza and stated that the pertinent UN Security Council resolutions must be followed in order to resolve this matter. Further, He asked the ECO’s member nations to mobilise support for the demand for humanitarian aid, advocate for a truce in Gaza, and hold Israel accountable.
Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar emphasised that Pakistan still depends on its fellow ECO members to support the exercise of the right to self-determination by the people of Kashmir in light of pertinent UNSC resolutions, while drawing attention to the horrors committed by India in illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
