KARACHI: The attendance of delegates from 26 countries at the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) on political affairs in Gwadar is evidence that terrorists and their sympathizers projecting a bad image of Balochistan have been defeated, said the Pakistani hosts of the Senate’s standing committee.

The APA on Tuesday passed a resolution to set up an Asian Parliament using the European Union model, entailing 42 members, 16 observer parliaments and 10 observer organizations.

The Senate of Pakistan represented the host country for the APA.

“By conducting such an excellent event in Gwadar, we have defeated the elements who want Balochistan to be known for violence and negative news reports,” said Senator Kahuda Babar Baloch, one the host senators belonging to Balochistan.

Agha Shahzaib Durrani, another senator from the province, said: “Balochistan is going to be the revenue engine of the country in the near future. The success of this event is a slap in the face for those who fled the country and have been projecting a bad image of the province.”

Recalling the dinner that took place on the Arabian Sea on Monday, Durrani said the guests were amazed to see the magnificent fireworks and the beauty of the city. They also bought different local art and handicraft pieces on the sidelines of the conference.

“Most of the participants were determined to persuade their countries to invest in CPEC projects, especially those in Gwadar, which will be the hub of economic activity in the region,” Durrani explained to Arab News.

On Sunday, upon their arrival in Gwadar, the participants were briefed by the Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) about the city and the various investment opportunities available to them.

“Lawmakers from the guest countries told us they had believed the stereotypes about Pakistan before they arrived. But after witnessing our rich culture, great music, hospitality, and the huge window of investment opportunities, their opinion changed,” said Durrani. “They found Gwadar to be a great place for their countries to invest,” he added.

After the successful hosting of the event, the guest countries will be encouraged to become a part of the multibillion-dollar CPEC projects, Durrani opined.

“The event, which all major countries attended, except Russia and India who had prior engagements, will leave a great impact,” he said.

On Monday, speaking as chief guest, acting President Sadiq Sanjrani said Gwadar would soon become a hub of economic and trade activities bringing prosperity for Pakistan, particularly the backward areas of Balochistan.

“The purpose of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly’s meeting in Gwadar is to portray Pakistan as a peaceful country,” he told the state-run TV, adding that the world was witnessing the development of Gwadar as a modern port city where foreign companies would like to invest.

“People were scared when hearing about Balochistan in the past. Today, 88 delegates from 26 countries and the secretary-general of the inter-parliamentary union are present, proving that peace has been restored in Balochistan and the agents of violence have been defeated,” Senator Baloch told Arab News, giving the credit of peace to the country’s armed forces and its law enforcement agencies.

“On the sidelines of the main event, the GDA briefed the participants, who will go back to their countries and inform others about this great place and the economic opportunities available here,” he said. “Here, they found a peaceful Gwadar which is perfectly fit for huge investments.”

Baloch said that Gwadar was getting special attention from the government and the regional stakeholders.

“The federal minister Azam Swati announced that the Gwadar campus of COMSATS University Islamabad would be opened, which will help improve education and in turn help the economic uplift of the province,” he said. “Through development, better education and health facilities we are taking Balochistan on to a path of progress.

“The Chinese have additionally taken up the responsibility of planting and taking care of one million trees in Gwadar to ensure it remains green.”

According to its website, the APA provides a forum to parliamentarians to exchange views, ideas and experiences for developing common strategies for promotion of peace in Asia and the world.

APA also fosters cooperation and coordination among parliamentarians in Asia for promotion of peace and respect for human rights and humanitarian principles.