Fighting for western corridor: K-P parties reaffirm stance on CPEC
Chitral leaders say route should go through district
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman addressing a press conference. PHOTO: EXPRESS
CHITRAL/PESHAWAR:
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has united foes of a feather—opposing parties—over the divisive issue of its western route, thought to be beneficial for the region. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf at yet another all-parties conference on Thursday reiterated their reservations which they wished to convey to the prime minister.
“There is no indicators that the promised the gas pipeline, power lines, fibre optic cables or railway lines [will come into existence],” JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said at the conference. He will lead the team which will convey the regional leaders’ reservations to the prime minister in a day or two.
“This has made our doubts become reality, proving this is just a road and not a corridor.” Fazl added without the projects discussed at the May 28, 2105 APC, “the road” has no importance.
“The western route that has been inaugurated by the prime minister is not in accordance with what was accepted at the APC convened by the PM.” Fazl said the demands regarding the corridor and its specifications should be implemented and the federal government should make sure all the packages are included. Not only did he express his reservations, Fazl also demanded the government define areas where the economic or industrial zones will be constructed and when.
An insider present at the meeting told The Express Tribune, “Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party’s Mahmood Khan Achakzai were against meeting the prime minister and were of the view to force the government to implement the CPEC project in its letter and spirit.”
The insider quoted Khattak, saying, “It is our due right to get the corridor with all its components otherwise we don’t need the road that was inaugurated by the PM.” The stance was reiterated by Achakzai who insisted the reservations not be conveyed to the PM.
However, Fazl convinced them to first meet the PM. He is quoted to have said they would not extend their support and do whatever they could if Nawaz Sharif does not agree to the demands over the corridor.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, present at the occasion, said he would support the Centre but since it was a matter concerning the province he would side with provincial parties. “The province gives me an identity and I promise to fight for its rights,” the insider quoted Jhagra as saying.
A news conference was also held at Peshawar Press Club where Pakistan Peoples Party K-P President Khanzada Khan demanded the federal government share the map and other details of the corridor with political parties.
Across districts
A conference held in Chitral saw politicians demand the federal government pass the route from the district as well. The conference, chaired by Chitral district nazim Maghfirat Shah, was held in District Council Hall.
Speakers on the occasion said Chitral was the safest route for the CPEC as it offered easy access to Asian counties. They argued the route should pass through all underdeveloped districts so all get a chance to progress.
Shah said they would hold three more conferences in Darogh, Chitral and Boni to make the same demand.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2016.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has united foes of a feather—opposing parties—over the divisive issue of its western route, thought to be beneficial for the region. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf at yet another all-parties conference on Thursday reiterated their reservations which they wished to convey to the prime minister.
“There is no indicators that the promised the gas pipeline, power lines, fibre optic cables or railway lines [will come into existence],” JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said at the conference. He will lead the team which will convey the regional leaders’ reservations to the prime minister in a day or two.
“This has made our doubts become reality, proving this is just a road and not a corridor.” Fazl added without the projects discussed at the May 28, 2105 APC, “the road” has no importance.
“The western route that has been inaugurated by the prime minister is not in accordance with what was accepted at the APC convened by the PM.” Fazl said the demands regarding the corridor and its specifications should be implemented and the federal government should make sure all the packages are included. Not only did he express his reservations, Fazl also demanded the government define areas where the economic or industrial zones will be constructed and when.
An insider present at the meeting told The Express Tribune, “Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party’s Mahmood Khan Achakzai were against meeting the prime minister and were of the view to force the government to implement the CPEC project in its letter and spirit.”
The insider quoted Khattak, saying, “It is our due right to get the corridor with all its components otherwise we don’t need the road that was inaugurated by the PM.” The stance was reiterated by Achakzai who insisted the reservations not be conveyed to the PM.
However, Fazl convinced them to first meet the PM. He is quoted to have said they would not extend their support and do whatever they could if Nawaz Sharif does not agree to the demands over the corridor.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, present at the occasion, said he would support the Centre but since it was a matter concerning the province he would side with provincial parties. “The province gives me an identity and I promise to fight for its rights,” the insider quoted Jhagra as saying.
A news conference was also held at Peshawar Press Club where Pakistan Peoples Party K-P President Khanzada Khan demanded the federal government share the map and other details of the corridor with political parties.
Across districts
A conference held in Chitral saw politicians demand the federal government pass the route from the district as well. The conference, chaired by Chitral district nazim Maghfirat Shah, was held in District Council Hall.
Speakers on the occasion said Chitral was the safest route for the CPEC as it offered easy access to Asian counties. They argued the route should pass through all underdeveloped districts so all get a chance to progress.
Shah said they would hold three more conferences in Darogh, Chitral and Boni to make the same demand.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2016.