Pakistan

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: ANP leader calls for strike, APC against route change

Mian Iftikhar Hussain says Gwadar-Kashgar route to forge unity among federating units

Our Correspondent May 02, 2015

ANP leaders address a press conference in Quetta. PHOTO: EXPRESS

QUETTA: Awami National Party’s central secretary general Mian Iftikhar Hussain on Friday announced plans for a May 6 shutter down strike and a May 16 multiparty conference to campaign against any change in the Gwadar-Kashgar route. Any change in the economic corridor route could tarnish the country’s integrity, he said.

At the same time, he appealed to the authorities to begin work on the 3,000-kilometre project as soon as possible.

The strike is to be observed on May 6 upon the arrival of federal minister for planning in Quetta, while an All Parties Conference is to be called on May 16 in the provincial capital.

He said that it is essential to begin work on Gwadar-Kashgar route to strengthen the integrity of the country and to forge unity amongst its federating units.

“Integrity of the country is the most endeared thing, and it could be damaged by the change of the Gwadar-Kashgar route,” the ANP leader said. “The country’s development should not be made controversial [by changing the project’s route] so that Pakistan could benefit from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.”

He said that ANP had been struggling for the rights of the labourers and would continue to do so. “There is a huge bulge of labourers in our country but it has receded by and by.” He said that had this trend been promoted, Pakistan would have been a developed country in terms of industry and would have had a strong economy.

that the visit of Balochistan was aimed at taking in confidence other political parties on the issue of Gwadar-Kashgar route so that work could begin on the previous route.He said Mian Iftikhar said all political parties, including the PML-N, PML-Q, PkMAP, BNP, BNP-A and PTI, have been contacted in connection with the APC. Leaders of all the parties have shown willingness to attend the conference, he added.

“The route had been under discussion since the times of the PPP government as railway line, energy projects and industrial zones were to be constructed on it, leading from Dera Ismail Khan, Zhob, Loralai and Quetta to Gwadar.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd, 2015.

COMMENTS (3)

Anwar | 9 years ago | Reply One of the pillar in investor mind is, was and will remain safety of its investment. Center or provincial governments can suggest, discuss but cannot dictate its terms n conditions arbitrary to an investor. ANP or other provincial governments need to realize Economical Corridor is for the benefit of entire Pakistan. If investor want to pick and start with the safe route first and later come to difficult route, Why there's so much off problem. These political parties need to understand no one with money would like to jump into extreme risky part of the project first n then go for better alternative (as long as) risky route remains part of the overall project. Please do not spoil n waste this opportunity n no need to allow Ego take over Logic.

Chengez K | 9 years ago | Reply For last 60 years ANP (Previously) has been threatening regarding integrity of Pakistan on every issue. It is sad to see that is political party is still prisoner of its past. Why cannot they discus it with the government or in Parliament? Why make it controversial? Why are they still not ready to accept Pakistan as one country rather than always playing the politics of provincialism ? No wonder they got rejected last time but it seems they have learnt nothing.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

Replying to X