ISLAMABAD: A renowned economic watchdog has urged the government to provide all the required resources for timely completion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) President Dr Murtaza Mughal, in a statement, said that delaying the project to resource constraints is not acceptable and the masses will never allow it.
Dr Murtaza Mughal said that one-third of the developmental budget has already been slashed to keep deficit under control but the government still lacks money needed for critical mega projects with loan appearing as the only option.
In the last three years, the government has avoided meaningful reforms in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and has preferred to burden existing taxpayers, which has left them with empty pocket, he added.
Mughal said that the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) has been increased by only 14 per cent which is a joke in presence of mega projects and economic corridor. He said that the planning commission asked the government for Rs 900 billion to complete the CPEC projects, including 29 industrial zones, in time but they can only get Rs 655 billion which is frustrating.
