Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal said that litigations on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) could hurt investment climate for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). The minister expressed these views while chairing a meeting on CPEC in the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform on Monday. He said, "Work on the western corridor was progressing in a full swing and reaffirmed that the route would be completed by 2018".
'The 650km long Gwadar-Quetta section of the western route has already been completed which according to the given timeline was to be delivered in December 2016, this shows the work pace is not only smooth rather we are moving on fast track and ahead of time," he added.
On KPK government's filing writ petition in the Peshawar High Court on CPEC, the minister maintained that litigations on CPEC can hurt investment climate for KPK. 'There is a joint Parliamentary Committee to oversee progress on CPEC projects in which all parties and provinces are represented. Instead of raising concerns in this committee, initiating litigation is very irresponsible act. The federal government always tried its level best to address reservations of KPK government and political leadership of the province. Chief Minister KPK Pervaiz Khattak himself endorsed the ongoing CPEC progress and assured his unconditional support on August 29 in the CPEC Summit in Islamabad', said the minister.
The minister noted that China is not transferring $46 billion in pocket of government rather $35 billion is being invested in energy sector in IPP mode as investment whereas rest of $11 billion is being invested into projects related to infrastructure and Gwadar. He maintained that that federal government gives equal importance to all provinces of the country and would not discriminate to any region in respect of CPEC. It would be in the larger interest of the country that we all should remain united for smooth execution of CPEC by refraining from creating unnecessary disputes over it. Ahsan Iqbal said that some sections are carrying forward a malicious campaign aimed at creating ambiguities about this game changer project. There is not even a millimetre change in any route. He said China and Pakistan in the concluding session of the 5th JCC of the CPEC had developed consensus on the principle of "one corridor with multiple passages" for CPEC transport planning aiming at directly benefiting the socio-economic development of Pakistan, especially the western and north-western regions, and providing effective connectivity to Gwadar port. The minister further stated that with the completion of western route, people living in the underdeveloped areas would witness new era of development and prosperity. The minister reinforced commitment of the government that the road projects on western passage are being given top priority. Government of Pakistan is funding the road projects on western route through Federal PSDP, he added. He said that construction work on D I Khan - Hakla 285km motorway fully funded through PSDP has already commenced by completing all the requirements including feasibility, design, land acquisition and approval in the shortest possible time and will be completed by 2018 as promised with all parties' leadership.