Specs of CPEC: Movement launched to secure rights for K-P

Activists say federal govt’s decisions may create anti-China sentiment

PESHAWAR: A National Corridor Movement (NCM) was announced against the federal government for neglecting Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project.

The initiative was launched by the Corridor Front, an organisation working on securing the rights of K-P in the multibillion dollar project. The first gathering of this movement will be held on July 24 in the southern district of Karak. The Corridor Front told the media the federal government has proved that all the prime minister’s promises related to K-P’s share in the corridor were false.

“We are being dodged and the federal government has proved it is not willing to go ahead with the corridor on its original route,” Corridor Front Convener Dr Said Alam Mehsud said at a news conference in Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday.  “We want to tell the Chinese government that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has misguided it as the new route will give rise to agitation.”

He added such sentiments would not only prove a challenge for the federal government, but will also risk Chinese investment in the region.

Mehsud added since it was the only corridor of its nature, there should be a single route as his organisation will not accept any other.

”The prime minister from Punjab has snatched CPEC from K-P and that is the reason we will never accept the Punjab-China Economic Corridor,” the convener said. He said the corridor will benefit the region, but it should be built on the original route which was clearly mentioned and agreed upon.

He accused Nawaz of stigmatising the Chinese government as the new route will anger Pukhtuns and turn them against the neighbouring country. He feared such a move could lead to a provincial and national crisis.

“This new uncertainty will be even more aggressive than militancy and endanger Chinese interest in the region.” Taking the names of a few prominent business families, Mehsud alleged Sharif was only interested in appeasing them.

The convener again asked the K-P government to follow their commitment otherwise the movement will turn against it as well.

Referring to Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, he asserted that the official must keep his promise or face unfathomable consequences.

“We announce the launch of the National Corridor Movement and will hold our first gathering in Karak where representatives of all political parties will be present.” Replying to a question, Mehsud said all political parties extended their support to the cause, but those had not yet diverted their attention to agitation.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2016.