Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Saturday said the Multan-Sukkur (M5) motorway was yet another symbol of Pakistan-China cooperation and friendship and a testimony to the fact the shared vision of greater economic activity in the region was turning into a reality.

The Prime Minister was addressing a gathering of Chinese and Pakistani engineers at Multan-Shujabad Interchange at Shujabad, 35 kilometres off here, after inaugurating the first 36-kilometre segment of 392-km Multan-Sukkur motorway.

Chinese ambassador in Pakistan Yao Jing, and officials of National Highway Authority (NHA) were also present.

The Prime Minister said that the project was an exposition of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision for greater economic activity in the region.

He added that it was the vision, shared by PML-N supreme leader and former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and the Chinese President which was now developing into a reality.

It was also PML-N leadership’s vision that Karachi would be linked to Peshawar through motorways by 2020, the PM said, adding: “In 2020, you will not get down from motorway when you travel from Karachi to Peshawar.”

PM Abbasi said it was a privilege to inaugurate the first segment of M5 Multan-Sukkur motorway and thanked the Government of China, the Bank of China and the state owned Chinese construction company.

The Prime Minister said that country was facing acute shortage of gas and suffering from electricity shortfall when PML-N government took over in 2013. The PML-N government added 10,400 Megawatt of power to the national grid and managed to import surplus gas which was enough to meet the domestic and industrial requirements of the country, he added.

He said the PML-N government focused on three key points in designing and execution of its mega projects which included economic viability, meeting international environmental standards and transparency.

Speaking on the occasion, Chinese ambassador in Pakistan Yao Jing declared completion of first segment of M5 motorway as ‘a good job done’ by Chinese and Pakistani engineers.

He said it showed that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was developing into a reality and highlighted a new level of cooperation and friendship between China and Pakistan.

Meanwhile, according to our correspondent, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbassi says the country can only be taken forward through the political process and democracy. 

Inaugurating the Multan-Shuja'abad section of Sukkur-Multan motorway project in Shuja'abad today, he said the people are the ultimate decision makers in the democratic set up.

He said the next general elections will be held in July this year .

He said making a choice amongst the political parties is not difficult for the people as they have witnessed the performance of all the parties in their respective provinces.

Prime Minister said PML (N) government has completed an unprecedented number of projects in every nook and corner of the country worth billions of rupees during its tenure.

He said PML (N) believes in the politics of decency, development and serving the masses despite challenges.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said government also completed those projects which were shelved over the last many decades.

About the power projects, Prime Minister said ten thousand and four hundred megawatts of electricity was added to the national grid over the last five years. He said despite summer season and shortage of water, electricity is being ensured during Sehr and Iftar times.

On the demand of new provinces, Shahid Khaqan Abbassi emphasized the need for evolving national consensus on the matter after the general elections.

About Multan-Shuja'abad section of motorway, he said this project has been completed one year ahead of the stipulated time line.He said the entire project of Sukkur Multan motorway will cost two hundred and ninety four billion rupees.

Earlier, speaking at a briefing on project Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said Multan -Sukkur Motorway is another symbol of Pakistan-China cooperation and friendship under CPEC.

He said CPEC is exposition of Chinese President's vision towards a greater economic activity in the region.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing on the occasion said that CPEC has becomne a reality now with a new level of close cooperation between Pakistan and China.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbassi inaugurated Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Bridge in Mithankot today.

The bridge provides an important communication link across the Indus River btween the cities of Zahirpur on G.T. Road and Indus Highway via Mithankot.

Addressing a ceremony on the occasion, the Prime Minister said the project has been completed at a cost of about eight billion rupees.

He said that we have built a network of road infrastructure in the country, which will trigger economic activity in the country.

Shahid Khaqan Abbassi said there is no precedence of the development work executed by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in South Punjab over the last ten years.

The Prime Minister was confident that the PML (N) will again form the next government with the support of the vote of the public and take forward the country.

He said a decision has been taken in principle to establish university campuses in every district of the country.