K-P parties align against Centre

To introduce resolution in provincial assembly seeking implementation of APC decisions

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government will come up with a multi-pronged strategy in order to pressure the federal government to give preference to the western alignment of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which has been billed as a ‘game changer’ for the region.

Leaders of all parliamentary parties in the K-P Assembly, including Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, met on Tuesday at the assembly hall where they were briefed on the multibillion-dollar project by Pakhtunkhwa Uloosi Tehreek chief Said Alam Mahsud.



Participants decided to introduce a resolution in the provincial legislature demanding the federal government implement the decisions taken at an all parties’ conference on May 28, 2015 vis-à-vis the CPEC in letter and spirit.

They voiced concern at the alleged diversion of most CPEC-related development projects to Punjab, according to an official handout issued after the meeting. They decided the provincial government would arrange a meeting of the K-P political leaders with the National Highway Authority (NHA) within 10 days. In the meantime, all parliamentary parties will collate their viewpoints in an effort to come up with unanimous demands. They said they will not allow the federal government to deny K-P people benefits of the CPEC.

The meeting participants also voiced concern over the information disseminated through the Planning Commission website after May 28. They vowed not to budge on the decisions taken on May 28. They said they would also arrange a briefing for China’s ambassador in Islamabad, NHA, political leadership and K-P governor to highlight the promises made to the K-P government. They noted with concern that the road network in Punjab was being improved for industrial estates to be built along the CPEC route.



A PML-N faction turned out to be the lone voice of dissent at the meeting, a source told The Express Tribune. The PML-N faction and K-P government leaders had a brief exchange of arguments. The former believed the K-P government’s stance was too aggressive and unfeasible. K-P government officials, however, shot back saying that if needed Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act will be invoked.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 2^nd, 2015.