CPEC projects to speed up after Shehbaz’s election as PM

The heydays of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are set to come back after the dramatic return of “Shehbaz Speed”, a famous title awarded by China a few years back to then CM Punjab Shehbaz Sharif, who is now the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
“Shehbaz Speed” had once become a symbol of rapidness and fervency on CPEC, which was acknowledged by the Chinese government with pride. Given the position of then CM Punjab, Shehbaz Sharif had smoothened development processes, completed projects even before the set deadlines, ushered in an era of a prolific working relationship with Chinese companies, fixed bureaucratic glitches, rejuvenated the chain of command to pull away stumbling blocks and achieved many milestones on the progress of CPEC that are still remembered by Chinese officials.
Recognising his meritorious performance on December 20, 2016, the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Vice-Minister Zheng Xiaosong, gave then Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif the title of ‘Shehbaz Speed’. Zheng said he and his delegation members were inspired by the unmatched pace of development in Punjab. “China is known throughout the world for completing development projects in short times but even by Chinese standards, the pace of work is exceptional.”
Later, on January 25, 2021, outgoing Chinese consul general Lahore, Long Dingbin sent a letter to Shehbaz Sharif heaping praise on him for achieving “Shehbaz Speed”. He lauded Shehbaz Sharif’s contributions as then Punjab’s chief minister for CPEC projects.
In the letter addressed to the PML-N president, he termed the former Punjab CM an “old friend of China” and added that he was impressed by his devotion for CPEC projects.
“You have seen CPEC projects realised, which not only created the impressive ‘Punjab Speed’ but embodied our profound bilateral friendship,” he wrote in a farewell letter.
The consul general said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz will always remain a “great friend” of China, whether “it’s in power or as an opposition party”.
“I am sure, as a leader of the National Assembly you [Shehbaz] will continue to work as always to promote the friendship of our two parties, our two nations and our two people,” the Chinese official added. The Chinese consul general concluded his letter wishing Shehbaz good health and success.
Many politicians termed the letter of the Chinese consul general to Shehbaz as a matter of pride for Pakistan. “A great friend like China is also testifying to Shehbaz Sharif’s transparency, honesty, integrity and hard work while he was chief minister,” they added.
Expressing emotional attachment with China and CPEC, as Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif uttered the words “Shehbaz Speed”, a title awarded by China to him on his meticulous performance on CPEC during his former position as CM Punjab many years back.
In his first speech in the parliament after being chosen as 23rd PM Pakistan, he said categorically that “Shehbaz Speed” will become now “Pakistan Speed”, saying Pakistan-China relations are exemplary and phenomenally unmatched.
The “time-tested friendship with China has a long rich history and we will advance this bond to new heights,” he mentioned. China also felicitated Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the new prime minister of Pakistan.
Taking to Twitter, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Zhao Lijian said, “China looks forward to working with Pakistan to build a high-quality China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.”
He maintained that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic and comprehensive cooperation partners with rock-solid and unbreakable relations.
Later, Pang Chunxue, the Charge d’ Affaires at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Pakistan, called on the newly elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s House. Pang Chunxue congratulated the Prime Minister and conveyed good wishes of the Chinese government and leadership on the assumption of office.
Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on his part, conveyed warm greetings as well as an appreciation for the Chinese leadership. He reminisced about his many visits to China.
During those visits, he had also met with President Xi Jinping who took a personal stake in fostering ties with Pakistan. The Prime Minister of Pakistan appreciated the persistent progress of CPEC as the flagship project of President Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The newly elected Prime Minister of Pakistan also reaffirmed the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between China and Pakistan as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s policy and factor for regional peace and stability.
China lived in the hearts of the Pakistani people and China was Pakistan’s closest partner and strongest friend. Lastly, the Prime Minister affirmed his government’s commitment to further advancing a win-win economic collaborative alliance between the two countries.
Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is also the President of the PML-N, the largest political party in Pakistan at the moment.
He is also the longest-serving chief minister of the Punjab province, having served on the post three times since he began his political career nearly four decades ago. I hope he can manage to achieve ‘Pakistan Speed’ in the shortest time frame possible.