Part and parcel: G-B assured of inclusion in CPEC

Assembly told federal government has approved two economic zones

GILGIT:

The federal government has approved the establishment of two economic zones in Gilgit–Baltistan (G-B) as part of the multibillion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Lawmakers learnt this at G-B Legislative Assembly’s session on Tuesday.

“Two zones will be set up in G-B and have been approved by the federal government,” Parliamentary Secretary for Law Aurangzeb Khan told the house which was being chaired by Speaker Fida Muhammad Nashad. G-B Chief Minister Hafeezur Rahman was unable to attend the session as he was unwell.

“The regional government has been asked to select the venues and this will be done soon,” said the lawmaker in an assuring tone. Politicians and other stakeholders have time and again questioned the federal government’s resolve to include the region in the project linking China to the Gwadar port.

PPP’s Imran Nadeem expressed reservations over Aurangzeb’s statement, saying the establishment of an official body was a prerequisite for such zones. “The body has not been formed yet; forget about other things,” he said. “Normally, it’s the responsibility of the provincial governments to arrange finances for the economic zones.”

More districts

Minister for Forests and Wildlife Abdul Wakeel raised the issue of Darel and Tangir valleys, saying the government did not value a resolution passed by the assembly to make districts.

“Both valleys are bigger than Kharmang and other districts in terms of area and population,” said Wakeel. “However, no one has seriously paid attention to the voice of elected representatives,” said Wakeel who is from Diamer where Darel and Tangir are located.

This sentiment was endorsed by Fida Khan of Ghizer Valley. He said the demand was completely justified and the current need of the hour. “Ghizer is a big valley; it should also be divided into more districts.”

The speaker handed over audit reports sent by G-B Governor Barjees Tahir to Sikandar Ali, the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, for further action. The audit reports were related to Zakat committees of Diamer and Ghanche and the Public Works Department.

Bills

Speaker Fida Muhammad Nashad referred eight bills presented in the house to the cabinet for review and approval. He asked the parliamentary secretary for law to table the bills after approval from the cabinet. The bills included those related to environmental protection, prevention of child marriage, and prevention of corporal punishment to children. The session was adjourned till Wednesday.

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