ISLAMABAD, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said on Monday that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has become a reality and provided Pakistan with a platform to achieve development, prosperity and poverty alleviation.

Abbasi made the remarks at the opening ceremony of a two-day CPEC Summit & Expo 2018, jointly organized by one of the country's English daily Dawn and the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform in southern port city of Karachi with an aim to promote the objects of CPEC to the public.

The prime minister said that three years ago CPEC was unheard of, today it is known globally, adding that "two major environment- friendly power projects have already started production and the third one is near its completion."

Abbasi further told the audience that speedy work is in progress on transmission lines, highways and motorway networks, railways, agriculture, advanced technology, special economic zones and Gwadar port.

He said CPEC, which adheres to the vision of "a community of shared future for all humankind," has become the visible part of China's Belt and Road Initiative which will push for development through connectivity along ancient Silk Road trade routes.