Pakistani president hopeful for development through pak-China economic

President of Pakistan Manoon Hussain on Monday said that Pak-China Economic Corridor would usher in a new era of socio-economic development in the region and open new vistas of opportunities, said an official press release.Hussain, who recently came back after his first state visit to China, said that the corridor would not only generate tremendous economic opportunities, but would also be instrumental in further promoting tourism potential of northern Pakistani region Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).While talking to a delegation of notables from GB at President House, he said the government was committed to the uplift of GB and was taking various measures for its development and the socio-economic betterment of people.The President further said that his meetings with the top Chinese leadership focused on prioritization and early completion of those projects, which had direct and immediate benefits for the people of this region.He said, "The government was faced with various challenges, including the issue of militancy and terrorism, revival of economy and energy shortage, and was taking all possible measures to address them." The economic corridor project was proposed during Chinese premier Li Keqiang's visit to Pakistan in May 2013. For China, the project with Pakistan links China's strategy to develop its western region with Pakistan's focus on developing its economy.The economic corridor refers to the 2,000-kilometer road and rail link connecting Kashgar in west China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to the southwestern Pakistani port of Gwadar.President Mamnoon during his recent visit has called on the business community of Pakistan and China to play their vital role in bolstering Pak-China bilateral trade volume from the current over USD 12 billion to USD 15 billion by 2015.