Firm stance: K-P govt to block Centre’s efforts to acquire land for CPEC

Section 4 will not be enforced till province gets due share in corridor, says Asad Qaiser

PESHAWAR:

The provincial government will not allow the Centre to acquire land for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) if it is not given its due share in the project.

This was said by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser during a seminar held at University of Agriculture in the city on Friday. He was there alongside leaders of Awami National Party and Pakhtunkhwa Ulasi Tehrik (PUT). The seminar was organised to raise awareness about the economic importance of CPEC for the country.

“We will not enforce Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act 1984 until K-P gains its rights in the corridor,” said Qaiser.

Section 4 bars the sale and purchase of land set aside by the government for public-sector projects. Land can only be acquired by the federal government for the project once the K-P government enforces the section.

The reverse effect

“The purpose of any economic corridor is to provide economic support to underdeveloped areas of the country,” Qaiser said. “For instance, China is trying to develop its western belt. However, priorities seem to have been reversed in Pakistan.” According to Qaiser, infrastructure has been completely destroyed due to war and insurgency in the country.

“However, no support has been extended for the reconstruction of K-P and the tribal belt,” he added.

Raising a voice

The assembly speaker said K-P lawmakers had held a protest in Islamabad for “the first time to demand the rights of the province.” He said, “We will do our best to protect our rights.”

According to Qaiser, a committee which consists of provincial lawmakers has been constituted to discuss means to ensure K-P is not neglected.

Spreading the word

Presentations were made on the importance of the project for the benefit of students, who were informed about how the needs of K-P, Balochistan and the tribal belt are at the risk of being sidelined by the federal government under the project.

PUT Chairman Said Alam Mehsud also gave an interactive presentation about the project. “The current government changed the route and an extremely unfeasible map was presented in which Balochistan, Fata and K-P were completely overlooked,” said Mehsud. “The K-P government should stand firm and ensure the original plan is implemented.”

Speaking on the occasion, ANP Central General Secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the decision to change the route of the CPEC has deprived “smaller provinces” of their rights.

“This is an organised conspiracy to weaken the federation,” he said. “We are now being forced to fight for our rights.”

The CPEC aims to provide integrated links to Chinese initiatives One Road, One Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Route. The role of the provinces remains critical to the project as they will provide land for development projects and provision of allied facilities.

Investment potential

A delegation of investors from China called on Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan at Governor House in the city, stated a handout issued on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, the governor said peace and harmony have returned to the country due to military offensives in the tribal belt. According to Mehtab, foreign investment should be encouraged in the province and security will be provided to investors. “Investors should come forward with a concrete plan,” the handout added.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2015.