Boosting communication: Govt urged to include Pak-Afghan Highway in CPEC

Sherpao emphasises need to give priority to western route

PESHAWAR: The federal government has been urged to include the Pak-Afghan Highway in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

Qaumi Watan Party Chairperson Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao expressed these views while addressing a public gathering held in Tangi, Charsadda on Saturday to inaugurate a new road.

“Only strong communication networks can boost the country’s weak economy,” a press release quoted the QWP chairperson as saying. “As a result, the highway should be included in the [$46 billion megaproject].” According to Sherpao, linking the Pak-Afghan Highway to CPEC will provide traders easy access to Central Asian markets.

Priority basis

Sherpao pressed the federal government to begin work on the western route of CPEC on a priority basis.

“Industrial zones should be established,” the statement cited the QWP leader as saying. “Other [development] projects should also be initiated in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa as per the agreement.”

The western route

The QWP leader added his party is geared towards to construct an effective communication system in the province.

“This will help traders transport their agricultural and industrial products to provincial, national and international markets,” the document quoted Sherpao as saying.

According to the QWP leader, the federal government should give priority to the western route of CPEC and construct economic zones in various parts of the militancy-hit province.

“This project is a matter of life and death for the Pukhtuns,” the statement quoted Sherpao as saying. “QWP will vehemently resist any move by the incumbent government to delay giving K-P its due share as per the agreement.”

Reforms initiative

Sherpao added the FATA Reforms Committee had visited all agencies in the region to seek recommendations from tribespeople on the Frontier Crimes Regulations.

“It should now speed up work on the reforms process to bring sustainable and durable peace and economic prosperity to the region,” the statement quoted Sherpao as saying.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 29^th, 2016.