ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal said on Tuesday that the issue of Western route of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) should be resolved in the Parliamentary Committee instead of taking it to the courts or discussing in the media.
Talking to media after signing MOU with USAID under USAID technical assistance for Planning Commission in energy sector here, he said, the decision of Khyber Pakthunkwa government to take the issue of CPEC to the court was unrealistic as it would create difficulties for the province.
He said, foreign investment could not be attracted through courts rather such an action would have a negative impact in this regard.
Ahsan Iqbal said, he had a telephonic talk with Speaker, KPK Assembly in which he informed him that reservations of KPK government over CPEC were not based on facts. The Minister informed the speaker that reservations of KPK Chief Minister and other PTI leadership were removed at a high level meeting held at Planing Commission on May 11. The demands of KPK leadership had also been included in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), he added. Terming the revival of economy and prosperity of the country above politics, he informed, all the provinces were being given equal opportunities in the CPEC.
He pointed out that several hydel power generation projects including Dasu dam, Diamir-Bhasha dam and Munda dam were initiated in KPK.
He said, Chitral dam, Indus Highway, Lawari Tunnel were being completed in the province while 13 projects were approved by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in KPK. The Minister said, state of the art research center and FATA university were also being completed.
About Western route, he said, the Quetta-Gwadar section of the route had already been completed while D.I. Khan-Burhan section of the route would be completed before 2018 by the NLC. Ahsan Iqbal said through the CPEC the under-developed and backward areas would get even more benefit from the mega project. The national level project of CPEC should not be used for party politics, he added.
He said, China was Pakistan’s time-tested friend and partner, adding, we should not politicize the CPEC project. Responding to a question about timely completion of CPEC, he said, both Pak-China leadership was committed to complete this project of national importance.
He expressed the confidence that all the differences over this issue would be resolved in a democratic way. Regarding Panama issue, he said, the matter was now in the Supreme Court and nobody should try to influence the apex court. He said, the Supreme Court would decide this matter in accordance with the Constitution and the law. “Those who were showing papers to public from the container are now worried to present proof of their claims in the court,” he added.
