The event was presided over by Dean SU Faculty of Social Sciences Professor Zareen Abbasi whereas; Professor Shabir Mohsin Hashmi, Director One Belt One Road (OBOR) Research Centre, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Jiangsu, China was the guest speaker.
Dean Dr Abbasi in her presidential remarks said the OBOR is not only significant to China but also very vital for the development of Pakistan and other engaging countries. The OBOR is likely to generate over 200 million jobs across Asia and beyond, and is finally to become instrumental in infrastructure development and poverty alleviation. "I am happy to share that under the dynamic leadership VC-SU Professor Fateh Muhammad Burfat, Pakistan Study Centre has improved its stature as an institution promoting broad-based research. The Centre's mission is to further improve the quality of academic research through innovative ways of creating new knowledge.
Guest speaker Dr Hashmi highlighted the objectives of 'One Belt and One Road' project, observing that the plan was initiated by the Chinese president in 2013 and had been incorporated in the 13th five-year plan that spanned from 2016 to 2021; further adding that One Belt, One Road (OBOR) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) were also the key pillars of the given project.
Dr Hashmi added that the aim of B&R initiative was to create new trading routes, business opportunities stretching over 60 countries across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa including uplift of underdeveloped Western part of China.
Dr Hashmi also highlighted that the other potential gains of CPEC to Pakistan that included development of infrastructure, self sufficiency in energy sector, shifting of manufacturing sector, joint partnership, transfer of technology, improvements in transport and logistics, risk associated with the B&R initiative, funding resources and investment risk, non-performing loans - Sri Lanka, Tajikistan case, Chinese companies international experience and communication problem.
Director SU-PSC Professor Shuja Ahmed Mahesar in his welcome note brought to light the objectives of the seminar. He said that all-weather relationship between Pakistan and China indicated that both countries had deep understanding of their geo-political interests. China's Economic transformation could positively contribute to the economic development of Pakistan.