Parliamentary panel calls for initiating need-based uplift projects

Subcommittee scrutinises projects under way with $1b Chinese grant

ISLAMABAD:

A subcommittee of the Parliamentary Committee on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on Thursday called for initiating need-based projects with tangible end results under the $1 billion Chinese government grant for socioeconomic development of the country.

During the maiden meeting of the subcommittee, with its convenor Noor Alam Khan in the chair, the lawmakers stressed the need for ensuring maximum adherence to timelines of the projects so that Pakistan could make the most out of this grant.

The meeting scrutinised the projects under grant aimed at launching pilot projects in the selective districts of the country to reduce poverty. It was briefed on the projects – completed as well as under-progress – in provinces and regions, covering 6 areas of socioeconomic development – agriculture, medical health, poverty alleviation, education, vocational education and water supply schemes.

The committee noted that the development projects were envisaged to alter socioeconomic landscape of the country, eliminate prevailing sense of deprivation among marginalised provinces and regions by ensuring shared prosperity and bringing positive changes in the lives of the people.

“It is, therefore, undeniably important to propose need-based projects having tangible end results and ensure maximum adherence to timelines so that Pakistan could make the most out of this grant,” the committee said, according to a press release issued here.

The committee further observed that it is important to address concerns of local people where projects are being proposed because local ownership of the projects is highly necessary, the press release added.

“In this regard, there is a greater need for establishing the strongest coordination among federal, provincial and regional departments so that everyone could be on board about the development activities… and the people of less-developed areas fully own the projects implemented under CPEC.”

While keeping ground realities in view, the committee recommended that “Pakistan needs to learn from remarkable Chinese experiences and focus on the capacity building and enhancement of skills rather than only imparting and installing technological infrastructure”.

While highlighting the importance of Balochistan and to further scrutinise the projects in the province, the committee decided to convene another meeting on Friday (today) specifically related to projects for Balochistan under CPEC framework.

The meeting was attended by National Assembly members Mehnaz Akber Aziz, Raza Rabani Khar, and Zahid Akram Durrani. Officials from planning ministry, national food security ministry, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Pak-Austria Fachhochschule Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology were also present.