Abbasi rubbishes differences over CPEC

'All political parties on same page as far as CPEC is concerned'

QUETTA: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has directed that all development projects initiated under the flagship China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project for Gwadar should be completed on time “to ensure the port emerges as a major trade hub”.

“All political parties are on the same page as far as CPEC is concerned – that the project will change the destiny of the nation,” the prime minister said while addressing at the groundbreaking of East Bay Expressway in Gwadar.

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Dr Ahsan Iqbal, Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, provincial ministers, local elders and senior civil and military officials attended the ceremony.

The six-lane 19.5km-long Eastbay Expressway in Gwadar would cost Rs17 billion to be developed by China Communication Construction Company (CCCC), which will give Rs15 billion interest-free loan.



Abbasi, however, said there was difference of opinion and added this could not be termed as opposition to the project and should be viewed as part of democracy. “No party is opposing CPEC.”

The prime minister hoped the completion of development projects in Gwadar would change the small fishing town into a global shipping port very soon.

Abbasi said the expressway would help in cargo handling through the road and increase connectivity of the port with the rest of the country.

“The project will link the Gwadar Port with the Makran Coastal Highway thereby improving logistic transportation of imports and exports.”

He said the expressway was symbolic of the lofty Pakistan-China friendship and added CPEC would further strengthen and deepen their strategic partnership.



The prime minister said work on the economic free zone in Gwadar was underway and added it would be completed in the current year.

He also assured that the port project, Pakistan-China Friendship Hospital, Power Plant, Gwadar Airport, etc., under the Rs170 billion plans for uplift of Gwadar would also be completed in time.

“These infrastructure-related projects will go a long way in generating economic activity in the country and ensure its progress.”

He said a number of power projects under CPEC have been inaugurated and playing a significant role in nation building.

Referring to the two main issues – the provision of electricity and clean drinking water – raised by the Balochistan chief minister, Abbasi said: “Give us a few weeks and the people will feel the difference.”



He said work was going on to provide electricity and clean drinking water to the local population and added that it was the responsibility of the government to address the issues.

Regarding issues related to border access with Iran, the prime minister directed Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal to take cognisance of the matter and take action to facilitate the people.

The prime minister said the people of Gwadar needed to be accommodated at all levels and should be provided training, capacity building, education “so that they are seamlessly integrated into new jobs being offered”.

He said he was appreciative of the local boat-building industry and said it was part of the local heritage and needs to be encouraged.

The prime minister asked the provincial government to submit its suggestions in this regard and said the federal government would fully support traditional trade and encourage it. He said work on the road to Khuzdar was being completed. “The project will transform the entire landscape.”