May 28, 2015
News
APC pledges to take full political ownership of CPEC
PM announces construction of western route on priority basis
INPISLAMABAD - During an All Parties Conference (APC) in Islamabad on Thursday, participants from all parties reached a consensus on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, and pledged to take full political ownership.
While inaugurating the meeting, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif pledged to parliamentary leaders that all matters regarding the CPEC project would be kept transparent. Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal counseled the prime minister to constitute a working group consisting of representatives from all provinces to make recommendations regarding developments in the corridor route.
Prime Minister Sharif announced that the western route of the economic corridor would be constructed first, for which funds will be released soon. He added that moving forward on national matters with unity would send a positive message to China, showing that Pakistan as a nation was committed to the project.
The prime minister also underscored that the corridor held great importance in the history of Pakistan as such investments had not taken place in the past. “China is a friend of Pakistan. China supports Pakistan as a nation without focusing on a particular party,” he said.
Nawaz Sharif said a parliamentary committee would be formed for consultation and monitoring of the project and give the CPEC a national ownership. A working group, he said, having representation of the provinces would be formed in the Planning and Development Division, which would ensure that the provinces were part of the historic development process, and it would remove the concerns of every one on permanent basis.
He pointed out that the country lost several historic opportunities for development. He said the government was determined that western alignment would be completed on priority basis between Gwadar and Khunjerab. He said Hasan Abdal, Mianwali, Dera Ismail Khan, Zhob, Quetta, Kalat, Panjgor and Turbat would be linked with Gwadar, and work would begin immediately on Kughal Kot and Mianwali section.
He thanked the political leadership for their support to the CPEC. Nawaz Sharif said this mega project would prove to be a milestone for Pakistan. He said the investment pouring in from China was unprecedented in the history of Pakistan, and credit for this goes to all the political parties.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Sharif appreciated the law-enforcing agencies and the Sindh government for nabbing the culprits of terrorist attack on the Ismaili community in Karachi. He said the culprits should be given exemplary punishment, and it would be seen as to who was behind these elements.
Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal briefed the parliamentary leaders about the different routes of the CPEC and energy and other projects to be implemented under it. He said suggestions would be invited from the provinces and then discussed with the Chinese authorities for their inclusion in the CPEC.
The planning minister said CPEC would benefit all the provinces. He said Gwadar would be connected with Kashghar with three different routes, adding that the project was not merely the name of a road, but it envisaged establishment of industrial zones and power projects. “Most of the power projects under the corridor will be established in Sindh. This project will attract more tourists to Gilgit-Baltistan,” the minister added.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk