Pakistan's High Commissioner refutes Indian media's assumption

Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit said it is unfair to say that Pakistan is being colonized by China, describing China and Pakistan as "very close friends" in an interview with India Today on Monday.

"China and Pakistan are very close friends and this friendship is not new. It is time tested friendship and there is simply no issue," Basit said.

India Today published an article earlier in July, calling Pakistan "China's new colony." Basit refuted the assumption and said China is doing everything in Pakistan's interest with mutual consent.

"We know where this cooperation is taking us. It is strategic in nature and we are very confident that this is to our mutual benefit," said Basit.

He said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would be a game changer for Pakistan. "It will indeed help us to make Pakistan a regional economic hub."

The reporter said the economic cooperation raised a concern of India.

High Commissioner said it was very "premature" to draw a conclusion like this. The economic relations between China and Pakistan "are not against any third country," he said. "And eventually, we hope that this becomes a regional project and all regional countries benefit from it."

"All four provinces have elected representatives and all the four governments are on board on the CPEC projects. Those 10-12 Baloch do not represent the wishes and aspirations of Baluchistan and other parts of Pakistan. They know that these projects are for the well-being and prosperity of the people. We have no worries, we are moving in the right direction. China is helping us in many ways like roads networks expansion of the industrial base."

(CGTN)