The crucial trade route: Siraj warns against ‘Islamabad’s policies’ wasting investment

Says billions poured into China-Pak Economic Corridor cannot be squandered

TIMERGARA:

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq said Islamabad’s “policies” cannot be allowed to waste the massive investment that will go into the Kashghar-Gwadar trade corridor.

He said the Council of Common Interests (CCI) must meet to discuss matters related to the major project, adding “it is essential for all stakeholders to reach a consensus”.

As part of his party’s by-election campaign for PK-95, Lower Dir-II, the JI chief addressed a public gathering in Jandol on Sunday. Polls are scheduled for May 7.

Lobbying

Haq asked the federal government not to create any conflict over the route mapped out for the China-Pak Economic Corridor. He said it was necessary for the Centre to take the entire nation onboard on all matters related to this crucial corridor.

“The government must announce sites for the proposed eight economic zones which would be built according to the mega agreement between the Pakistan and China governments.” Haq emphasised the route should also pass through Chitral, Gilgit, Timergara and Batkhela as these areas lacked development and faced rampant unemployment.



JI’s central chief said the trade corridor was the biggest overseas investment made by China, to the tune of $46 billion. “The government must make careful decisions so the massive investment does not go to waste due to Islamabad’s policies,” he stressed.

LG polls

Discussing local government elections, Haq said JI wanted change through the ballot, not the bullet.

The party supremo was confident that although the PK-95 seat was vacated by JI, his party would win by-polls by a large margin.

Haq took a swipe at NADRA for failing to release thousands of blocked CNICs of locals. He said residents of Lower Dir had set up a protest camp in Peshawar against NADRA blocking their CNICs. Haq added the regulatory authority had vowed to resolve the matter within three months, but nothing had been done in this regard.

By-polls

Meanwhile, the religious party urged the people of Jandol to vote for JI, stressing it was the one political force that could ensure the completion of ongoing projects. He said it was evident the people of the area wanted to see progress.

Throwing his weight behind the party candidate for PK-95, Haq said Izazul Mulk Afkari was the best possible candidate. “Afkari is an honest, educated and active worker from a poor family.”

He was confident that JI could better serve people of the area compared to candidates from other political parties.

JI’s K-P chief Professor Ibrahim Khan, Minister for Finance Muzaffar Said, Shabab-e-Milli Pakistan President Zubair Ahmad Gondal, MNA Sahibzada Yaqub Khan, former MNAs Shabbir Ahmad Khan and Maulana Asadullah, and MPA Saeed Gul also spoke on the occasion. Others who addressed the audience included PTI Malakand Division President Fazalullah Khiyam and JI’s candidate for PK-95 Afkari.

Former ANP activist Advocate Ikramullah, along with 150 other workers, announced joining JI. PTI leader Fazlullah asked his party voters and supporters to cast their votes in favour of the JI candidate. He said his party and JI were allies and workers of PTI would support the religious party’s candidate in PK-95.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 4^th, 2015.