- PPP, PTI calls for Pak-China corridor’s support as ANP wants govt to keep parties updated
- PM Sharif stresses national consensus on all issues, says CPEC will benefit all provinces
Addressing a luncheon hosted for the leaders of all political parties to address their concerns over the alleged change in the route of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated government’s resolve to solve all national issues through mutual consultation for country’s economic progress.
During the all parties conference, the premier addressed political parties’ concerns and allegations that the CPEC route had been changed to avoid most cities in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in favour of Punjab and Sindh.
“Consultation is the spirit of democracy and we have always taken the Parliament into confidence on all important national issues including economy, security and terrorism. Despite differences on various issues we have to make sincere efforts to move the country towards real progress. We should be determined to pass on a better Pakistan to the future government,” he said, adding that CPEC was aimed at economic progress of the entire region as it would help boost trade and improve connectivity.
The prime minister said foreign forces, which did not view the close working of Pakistan with China and the project positively, and were trying to sabotage the project, must realise that it was not against any country, rather it was beneficial for the entire region.
He said the nation must stand united to foil the nefarious designs against the CPEC as those projects were not for a party or an individual, rather were for the country’s development.
He said the region was home to three billion people and improved connectivity would help the area get out of the isolation of the past. There was a need to enhance linkages with all countries and generate economic activity, he added.
Regarding Balochistan, he said quality roads were being constructed in the province that would link Gwadar with the rest of the country.
GOVT’S CASE:
Addressing the conference, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that a joint coordination committee for the CPEC will be set up to facilitate the formation of working groups of experts, drawing Pakistan-China relations out of a political context and steering them towards a strong economic relationship.
The minister assured the attendees that all provincial capitals would serve as fundamental nodes for the CPEC, upon which the corridor would be constructed. He said that Karachi, Quetta, Lahore and Peshawar were marked as nodes, so that no province would be deprived of the benefits of the corridor.
POSTPONE THE APC?
Earlier, the premier was requested to postpone the meeting on the CPEC, following the brutal attack on the Ismaili community in Karachi.
Senior Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Khalid Maqbool urged the prime minister to postpone the meeting.
“Postpone this lunch and come with us to Karachi. This incident is so alarming, the whole world will react to it,” he said, adding that if the meeting is not delayed, it should at least be cut a little short.
LET’S NOT:
On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Mushahid Hussain said that the meeting should go on as this is also an issue of importance.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman agreed that the meeting should go on.
“If the meeting has been called, and if everyone is prepared, it should go on as planned. No one knows who will be where in the next two days. Karachi’s incident is important, but these things keep happening. Let the meeting go on, and if the premier wants to go to Karachi afterwards, he can go,” he said.
CPEC IN FOCUS:
Former president Asif Ali Zardari said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) fully supported the economic corridor and urged that the entire national leadership needed to support the project for country’s bright future.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), terming the corridor a national project, congratulated the government over the progress made so far.
Awami National Party (ANP) leader Asfandyar Wali said the session was highly important and the national leadership should be briefed and taken into confidence about the corridor, which was heading towards controversy.
ELABORATE ATTENDANCE:
The meeting was attended by representatives and heads of political parties. The PPP delegation was led by Zardari, PTI by Qureshi, ANP by Asfandyar Wali, MQM by Farooq Sattar, JUI-F by Fazalur Rehman, JI by Liaqat Baloch, BNP by Dr Jehanzeb Jamaldini and PML-Q by Mushahid Hussain Syed.
Mehmood Khan Achakzai of PKMAP, Hasil Khan Bizanjo of NP, Ijazul Haq of PML(Z), Aftab Ahmed Sherpao of QWP, Senator Prof Sajid Mir, Syed Ghazi Jamal and Alhaj Shah Jee Gul from FATA and Peer Ejaz Hashmi represented their parties respectively.
Also in attendance were Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak, Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Malik Baloch, Leader of House in Senate Raja Muhammad Zafarul Haq, Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information Pervaiz Rashid, Minister for Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, Advisor on National Security Sartaj Aziz and senior officials.