CPEC route: PM asks federal officials to assuage provinces’ concerns

Reviews progress on energy projects in meeting

ISLAMABAD: In a major move, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has officially instructed the federal authorities to reach out to the provinces to allay their reservations regarding the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

The development surfaced at a top-level meeting chaired by the PM on Monday.

As per these directives, chief ministers of all the four provinces are to be consulted regarding the launch of mega projects in their areas under the CPEC. China would also be requested to play a role, if required, to redress concerns of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh regarding the CPEC route.

A statement issued by the PM House also hinted at adoption of a consultative approach on the CPEC and said the PM directed Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal to “consult all the chief ministers for finalisation of industrial zones’ locations in their respective provinces.”



Nawaz also directed that “industrial zones would be set up at places that have economic feasibility and viability for maximum economic returns and benefits for both China and Pakistan.



He directed the formation of a committee to “suggest and advise” the Chinese government on the economic practicability and benefits of these sites.

This development was expected in the wake of the last Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting in which, according to a report published in The Express Tribune on Sunday, the Centre had assured the K-P and Sindh to address their concerns on the CPEC.

According to the report, the decision was taken in an apparent bid to ease the ongoing political row between the government and two major opposition parties – the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) – which rule the K-P and Sind respectively.

Official sources said the decision about consulting the chief ministers on finalisation of industrial zones was taken after discussing it with the provinces. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a well-placed source close to PM said all the four CMs were consulted and taken into loop.

Communist Party official

The PM also met Zheng Xiaosong – vice minister of International Department of the Central Committee of Communist Party of China – who called on him at the PM House and told him that the CPEC and its related projects symbolise the people-centric approach of the two countries.



“We have raised Special Security Division (SSD), comprising 15,000 military and civilian armed forces, for ensuring safety of our Chinese brothers working on different projects under CPEC,” Nawaz said.

10, 996MW to be added

Nawaz also chaired a meeting to review progress on various energy related projects at the PM House and was informed that around 10, 996 MW of power will be added to the national grid by March 2018 against an expected generation shortfall of 7,000 to 8,000 MW, estimated for 2017-18.

A detailed briefing was given at the meeting on the capacity and timeline for completion of various ongoing power projects in Pakistan.  The members were told that work on improving the transmission system was going on in all parts of the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20^th, 2016.