ISLAMABAD: The Opposition comprising of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) parliamentarians indulged in a war of words with the treasury over the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). On the other hand, the parliamentarians were of the view that Pakistan must play role of a mediator so that the rift between Saudi Arabia and Iran could be put to rest.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Ahsan Iqbal revealed that the KP government had demanded the federal government for permitting them to borrow from Asian Development Bank (ADB) so they could also provide their people with the Metro Bus Service (MBS). Iqbal went on to say that permission was granted almost a year ago and so far the project is merely on paper. Iqbal expressed sorrow over the parliamentarians for spreading negative propaganda against the CPEC in the media forgetting that this project is of national significance, adding that the negative propaganda also reaches China and a continuity of which may sabotage the entire plan. Iqbal further said that CPEC is as important as the national nuclear programme.
Iqbal expressed grief that although several briefings have been given both during the All Parties’ Conference (APC) and to the Senate but reservations still exist, adding that all reservations be put before the parliamentary committee rather than the media or the Lower House. Iqbal revealed that out of $46 billion, $38 billion are for energy projects for which private investors on the framework of Independent Power Producers (IPP) are expediting efforts, adding that China is investing in Pakistan at a time when the local investors are shying away.
He further revealed that CPEC is a “15 years” long project and that in the first phase, energy infrastructure will be put in place. He further revealed that for ensuring compatibility with phase one, it is essential that the economy growth rate is maintained at 7 to 8%.
The funding for all phases are being fetched from China, from our own resources and as well as the international financial institutions,” he added. Iqbal said many non-government organisations (NGOs) are spreading negative propaganda against the CPEC as is apparent from the recent allegation that MBS and Orange Line Train are also a part of the CPEC, which he maintained is not. He asserted that both the projects are under the domain of the Punjab government and “even the federal government has no share in the said investments.”
He revealed that as per the CPEC, a railway line would be put in place from Quetta to Dera Ismael Khan, adding that the line would ultimately finish at Peshawar. “The route of CPEC remains unchanged and the project will connect all major regions countrywide.
The government is also expediting efforts on other projects that will be linked with the CPEC route so that no region or province is left in isolation,” he added. Iqbal rebuffed claims that industrial zones are being set up, saying that more industrial zones, it is essential that the power outages are curbed, adding that only one such zone is under construction and that is at Gwadar so that the new port may be facilitated.
He said that CPEC within Chinese borders is a “two lane road”, adding that the corridor will link up with Karakoram Highway. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Shah Mehmood Qureshi tried to respond but the National Assembly (NA) Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq barred him, reminding that as per the rules no one can speak after minister provides for the house a “policy statement”. Anyhow, in immense hue and cry of the opposition, Sadiq allowed Qureshi to speak by breaking the rules of procedures. Qureshi said, “All KP political parties hold reservations against the changes being made in the CPEC route and alleged that the explanation provided by Iqbal is not based on factual information.” Iqbal responded that he did not give out any false information and that everything that he said was correct. Qaumi Watan Party Sherpao (QWP-S) lawmaker Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said, “Our concerns with regards to the CPEC are genuine and that the KP parliamentarians are being kept away from all developments, as is apparent by the fact that no KP parliamentarian was invited for the recent inauguration by the prime minister at Zhob.” Sherpao lamented that the KP economy has collapsed, adding that the poor people of the province are being neglected. “The railway line from Quetta to Peshawar will be completed by not earlier than 2040.”
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) lawmaker Sahibzada Tariqullah alleged that a mere sum of $2.6 billion out of $46 billion have been set-aside for the KP. Iqbal responded saying that all those who once opposed CPEC calling it a “hoax” are today concerned about it adding that as of yet the CPEC is in its first phase focusing on energy projects. He added that the most focus of CPEC’s energy related projects is in Sindh rather than Punjab.
Published on http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/05-Jan-2016/hue-and-cry-in-na-over-cpec