Gwadar-China route for economic corridor to be constructed first: Imran

Says this route since this is shortest, it will incur lower costs and reduce economic burden on big cities

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan said on Friday that the Gwadar-China route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor should be constructed first, as it is the shortest and would help reducing economic burden on big cities.

While speaking to media in Islamabad on Friday, Imran said the government’s first priority should be reduction in poverty, as 110 million people were still living below the poverty line in Pakistan.

Read: Rangers will not be able to stabilise Karachi for long: Imran Khan

The PTI chairman said the shortest route from Gwadar to China should first be constructed, as this area lagged behind in development.

“This will reduce poverty,” he said. “Unemployed people are going to Lahore and Karachi; this will reduce the economic burden in big cities."

Earlier, politicians have complained that a plan for projects worth $46 billion to be built with Chinese funding has been unfairly changed to the disadvantage of provinces.

While talking about the existing status-quo, Imran said it was based on injustice.

“In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), we will announce a finance award for direct funding to districts,” he said.

He added funds will not be allocated on the basis of likes and dislikes, adding that South Punjab and Balochistan have remained deprived by the centre.

Imran argued that although funds were being spent on big projects, hospitals and schools were in a poor state.

Regarding Karachi, he said Rangers could not provide a long-term solution, and the police needed to empowered and be rid of political interference.