Pakistan forms special force for security of Chinese experts in Gwadar

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal denied on Wednesday that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is for a particular region, saying it is for the whole country. He said that it was imperative to strengthen the energy sector for success of the CPEC and therefore, the Chinese government had agreed to give $35 to 38 billion to its companies for investment in Pakistan’s power sector.

He said that no route was agreed before signing of the CPEC agreement.

The federal Minister declared that the government was implementing the decisions of APC convened on CPEC, in letter and spirit as it considers the CPEC a project of fate changer and not game changer adding the federal government was committed to bringing Pakistan among the first 25 big economies of the world and it would be possible when all the provinces are included in development process.

Apart from it, a joint committee of the parliament was also formed to monitor the implementation of the project, he added.

Ahsan Iqbal said that a committee comprising a senior minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and three secretaries had been constituted to give proposals on the CPEC. However, he said, the eastern route passing through Punjab was being constructed but not a single stone was laid down on the western route.

“I have answered the 14 points of CM Pervez Khattak concerning his reservations about change in Western Route of CPEC”, he claimed, adding that no changes could be made in the project without consultation of all the four provinces.

The Western Corridor of the grand project was inaugurated last month by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif following the ground breaking of up gradation of two crucial arteries, Zhob-Mughal Kot (N-50) and Qila Saifullah-Wagum (N-70).

Iqbal said CPEC was a project of national importance, backbone for the economy and social development of the country and will benefit the entire region. He said there were misunderstandings and lack of information on CPEC in media and public representatives that needs to be cleared.

He said that construction work on Munda and Kurram Tangi dam would be started soon as PC-I were being reviewed for approval of planning and development department and Higher Education Commission has started number of projects and scholarship programs for students of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said locals were also being given jobs in PN at different levels under a special programme to mitigate their financial sufferings, besides facilitating fishermen and helping to make the area an industrial hub.

With this investment, Pakistan would overcome the energy crisis by 2018, he added.