Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called upon the people to ensure the safety of Chinese investors and consider them as guests.

“We should not allow people to target workers of our friendly countries,” he said while addressing a gathering at the Gwadar Business Centre. “Value their security more than yours. If we did not give security to our investors, they will leave the country.”

The premier is in Gwadar, one of the important points of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, on a day-long visit earlier today. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and other ministers were accompanying the premier on the visit. In the meetings, officials would brief the premier on the law and order situation.

He dispelled the “impression” that the arrival of Chinese investors to Gwadar was akin to Britain’s “East India Company” during the Mughal period in the sub-continent. The premier urged the people to ensure the safety of every investor, as the country needed investment for development.

In his address, the premier had shared instances where friendly Muslim states and China helped Pakistan in the hour of need.

This was PM Shehbaz’s second visit to Gwadar since assuming the charge of the new office. Earlier this month, he visited the port city for the inauguration of the East Bay Express Way that will connect the city to Karachi via the Gwadar National Highway.

He reiterated that China has been Pakistan’s biggest supporter.

Before the address, some fishermen had shared their issues with the prime minister. One of them was Khudad Waju, the president of Mahigeer Ittehad president.

Use of trawler

Waju raised the issue of trawlers used by Sindh fishermen, saying that such machines and ‘guja jaal’ should be banned as it is dangerous for marine life. “Our only right is to allow us fishing. We will not allow those nets which destroy our sea,” he said, adding that people from other provinces are their brothers but the use of trawlers should be ended.

The prime minister announced his decision to form a committee on the issue and resolve it.

“Don’t say people of any province were doing this. This is an issue of maintenance,” he added.

Fishermen colony

The Gwadar fishermen will have their colony, one of the longstanding demands of the port city people, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday as he endorsed the decision.

“A plan in consultation with Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo will be devised for the colony,” he said, “I endorse your demand and the land will be handed over to you.”

Electricity issue

The premier assured the people of resolving the electricity issue and hailed the electricity project signed with Iran’s company ‘TANVIR’.