Ready to 'pay any price' for CPEC security: Pakistan army chief Raheel Sharif

Pakistan's army chief General Raheel Sharif on Friday said the armed forces are aware of "all campaigns" against multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that passes through PoK and vowed to "pay any" price to turn this dream into a reality.

The US $46-billion corridor to connect Western China to Pakistan's Gwadar deep seaport on the Arabian Sea in the south was announced last year.

"We are totally aware of all campaigns against the corridor and I vow that the security forces are ready to pay any price to turn this long cherished dream into reality," the army chief said, according to a statement.

General Raheel called for coordination in law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to ensure security for the project. The army chief also reiterated the commitment of Pakistan Army to provide security for the project and the workforce involved, terming it a game changer having the potential to transform lives of people of the country.

He also emphasised the need to ensure peaceful environment to be able to push all planned development projects. Pakistan has tasked army to provide security for hundreds of Chinese experts and workers who are becoming part of various projects related to rails, roads, and energy projects.

Gilgit-Baltistan government has already allocated a piece of land to army in Diamer district for army set up headquarters for the security of CPEC and the army chief was visiting the headquarters of the newly raised Special Security Division (SSD). According to a media report, Pakistan is planning to set up a brigade-level military infrastructure in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to provide security to the ambitious project.