The National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Reform has approved the "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority (CPEC) Bill, 2019."
The committee met with Junaid Akbar in the chair here at Parliament House on Tuesday. The committee discussed the 'China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority (CPEC) Bill, 2019,' Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Sustainable Development Achievement Program (SAP).
Some members of the committee also raised objections on section 4 of the bill, which gives immunity to chairman CPEC Authority, chief executive officer, executive director and any member of the authority. They said that no body could approach the court if anything is done wrong.
Committee members Syed Agha Rafiullah, Saleh Muhammad and others also said that the immunity to chairperson CPEC Authority should not be given and there should be mechanism for accountability and check and balance.
Additional Secretary Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform Syed Waqar-ul-Hassan, who was giving briefing to the Committee on the bill, said that this immunity is being given in good faith. He said this immunity would provide shield for smooth functioning of the Authority.
According to Section-IV of the bill, "Immunity: - Except as expressly provided in this bill, no suit prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Authority, the Chairperson, Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director, any Member, officer, member of staff, other employees, expert, consultant or advisor of the Authority in respect of anything done or intended to be done in good faith under this law, the rules or the regulations."
When Committee Chairman Junaid Akbar sought opinion from Law Ministry, the official of the ministry told the committee that the court could be approached against the Authority.
After discussion, the committee approved the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority (CPEC) Bill, 2019.
While briefing the committee, the secretary planning said that CPEC Authority is necessary as there are some long-term projects under CPEC and even Saudi Arabia, Russia, Turkey and Gulf countries are interested to make investments. He said that Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are also being established under CPEC which would improve the economy of Pakistan. He said that work has been started on utility infrastructures (electricity, gas, water etc.) for industrial zones.
He said that ML-I Railway Project of estimated cost of $ 9 billion is also being launched which will not only improve the infrastructure of the railway but trains would also be run through electricity.
He said that China has given $ 1 billion grant for social sector projects. He said that projects relating to health, education, vocational training and research would be started. He said that some projects would be completed in one year and other would be completed in three years.
The committee discussed that transfer of technology may be kept on priority while making any agreement with China or other countries. It was discussed that almost 30,000 Pakistani students are studying in China in different disciplines. The committee recommended that the government of China may be approached to build universities in Pakistan, as it will save foreign exchange and will increase education capacity in Pakistan.
The secretary planning, development and special initiatives briefed about the implementation on recommendations of the committee. The project director Dasu Hydropower submitted progress report to the committee as sought by the committee in last meeting. The committee directed to share the progress of the project with the committee on monthly basis.
The chief executive Neelum-Jhelum Power Project informed that as per decision of ECC of the Cabinet, Neelum-Jhelum surcharge will be rescinded at the achievement of commercial operation date of whole project. He further informed that the Central Power Purchasing Agency Guarantee Limited (CPPA-G) has approved to raise the invoice for the energy supplied to grid through Wapda. The committee recommended that Wapda should build and run the hospitals and schools, and provide roads and other necessities to victims of Dasu Dam.
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Sustainable Development Achievement Program (SAP) was discussed in the meeting. The committee recommended that balanced development may be ensured throughout Pakistan especially in backwards/rural areas. The committee also desired to transfer task relating to MDGs, SDGs or SAP from Cabinet Division to the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives.
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