Disappointed: CM Khattak flays Centre for not including K-P in CPEC

Says federal govt misled province into believing western route is part of project

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Pervez Khattak criticised the Centre for misleading the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government, saying China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) does not include any projects for the province. He said this while addressing guests at the oath-taking ceremony of Peshawar Press Club’s newly elected cabinet on Thursday.

Khattak alleged the federal government had kept the provincial government in the dark and had ensured him the western route would pass through K-P.“On Wednesday, we met a Chinese Ambassador where we were informed the western route will be a part of this project, and both provincial and federal governments have jointly resolved this issue,” he said. However, this was not the case.



“Various development projects have started in Punjab as part of CPEC. But we have no objection to that. The only thing that becomes problematic is when the federal government deprives people from other provinces of their rights,” Khattak said. He added Ihsan Iqbal, the federal minister for planning and development, had told the provincial government the western route is part of CPEC and several development projects would be a part of K-P. “Now, we have been informed the western route is not part of this project,” Khattak said.

“K-P has been badly affected due to militant insurgency and floods. The province lacks water for irrigation. Chashma Right Bank Canal, which is a part of CPEC, should be built,” he added.

The CPEC project includes installation of fibre optic cables, railway tracks, gas and oil pipelines, among other facilities. “However, there is nothing in the project for K-P except the highway,” Khattak said.

Hurdles in reforms

About reforming different sector, the CM said people voted for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to bring a change in the system. “We do want to bring a positive change in all sectors but the status-quo is putting up hurdles in our way to develop the province,” Khattak said.

Encouraging journalists

The CM congratulated the new cabinet and urged it to work for the welfare of journalists. Khattak directed Special Assistant to CM Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani to release all pending payments to Durrani Media Colony.

He also promised the journalists to reconstruct the building of Peshawar Press Club. “Flats will also be announced for the new members of the cabinet soon,” he said. In the coming budget, he said, a fund will be set up for journalists in K-P.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 11^th,  2016.