PM hosts lunch to settle corridor route controversy

The CPEC was termed to be of strategic importance


Web Desk/abdul Manan May 13, 2015
PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD: With intensified criticism over the alleged change in the route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif hosted a lunch for the leaders of all political parties to address their concerns.

The premier formed the all parties conference (APC) following concerns and allegations that the route had been changed to avoid most cities in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and instead pass through Punjab and Sindh.


An Express News screengrab


Read: Diplomacy of hospitality: PM to host lunch to settle corridor route controversy

The premier reiterated that the present government deems it best to resolve all national issues through mutual consultation in order for the country to move towards economic progress.

“Consultation is the spirit of democracy and we have always taken the Parliament into confidence on all important national issues including economy, security and terrorism,” he said.

“Despite differences on various issues we have to make sincere efforts to move the country towards real progress,” he added.

“We should be determined to pass on a better Pakistan to the future government,” he said.


An Express News screengrab


Addressing political leaders at the luncheon, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Prof. Ahsan Iqbal said that the Pakistan-China economic corridor is an “important issue.”

“The timeframe of the corridor will be from 2014-2030,” he said.

Iqbal said that the “starting point” of the economic corridor will be Gwadar. He added through socioeconomic reforms, not only will the port be developed, but it will also be good for the people of Gwadar.

Further, Iqbal said that main outcome of this project is energy. At present, all sectors in the country underperform because of energy shortage.

“We cannot transfer more than 15000MW energy,” he said.

Iqbal also said that industrial parks and economic zones that will aim to relocate industries inPakistan from China.

Karachi attack discussed

At the beginning of the APC, the premier was requested to postpone the meeting on the CPEC, following the brutal attack on the Ismaili community in Karachi earlier today.

During the meeting, senior Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Khalid Maqbool urged the prime minister to postpone the meeting.

“Postpone this lunch and come with us to Karachi,” he said while talking to the premier.

“This incident is so alarming, the whole world will react to it,” he added saying that if the meeting is not delayed, it should at least be cut a little short.

On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leader Mushahid Hussain said that the meeting should go on as this is also an issue of importance.

Read: LIVE: 43 dead, 24 injured in bus attack on Karachi's Ismaili community

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman agreed that the meeting should go on and said that “incidents keep on happening.”

“If the meeting has been called, and if everyone is prepared, it should go on as planned. No one knows who will be where in the next two days,” he said.

“Karachi’s incident is important, but these things keep happening. Let the meeting go on, and if the premier wants to go to Karachi after, he can go.”



The meeting went on as planned as consensus was reached that the CPEC is of strategic importance.

COMMENTS (7)

ishrat salim | 8 years ago | Reply What Karachi is going through & other provinces will go through in a little while, is due to non-implementation of NAP, wherein it was decided by all to get rid of such elements by banning such organization, registration of un-registered madrasas / seminaries, registration of those students living & studying there, banning of religious terrorist outfits such as AWSJ etc; nothing till date has been done by none of the provinces, So, if now the Army takes over this task too, people should not complain if the Army takes the driver seat.
raja | 8 years ago | Reply Visit to Karachi was way more important than this political meeting. COAS cancelled his foreign tour and landed in Karachi in no time. Shame on PM and other political parties
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