New York: Pakistan has declared its intent to fast-track and widen the scope of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), proposing to extend its benefits to Afghanistan to bolster regional peace and security.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, during a UN Security Council debate on cooperation between the UN and regional organizations, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Munir Akram, emphasized the significance of enhancing connectivity projects through Central Asia to Afghanistan. He argued that such initiatives are vital for fostering peace and security within Afghanistan and the broader region.

Ambassador Akram expressed concern over regional stability, citing the quest for dominance by a major state as a detriment to the potential of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). He advocated for stronger regional integration, aligning with UN principles to promote collaboration and understanding in peace, security, and economic development across regional and inter-regional landscapes.