Smaller provinces are aggrieved, and rightly so
Nothing can satisfy the representatives of the smaller provinces other than a solemn commitment by the Prime Minister himself that the original route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) related road is being adhered to. Taking the Chief Minister of Punjab to crucial meetings in Beijing and Islamabad while keeping the three other Chief Ministers out of loop has generated mistrust among the smaller provinces. Confusing statements by government functionaries about the route have further added to doubts and suspicions. A lengthy briefing provided to the Senate by Ahsan Iqbal on Monday failed to satisfy the Opposition. On Wednesday the parliamentary leaders had come to get answers to certain concrete questions from the Prime Minister who, for genuine reasons, had to leave for Karachi soon after Ahsan Iqbal’s repeat performance.
Pakistan being a federation, the government has to take the provinces on board while planning or implementing any project of national importance like the CPEC. Projects of the type have to be transparent, as suggested by several economists, businessmen and civil society activists. Necessary information about them has to be made available on the websites of related ministries. The Chinese have made a heavy investment. The road and the planned development works are closely connected. The staging posts on the route will have positive impact on the livelihood of the people, local economy and social life. It is natural for political parties to be inquisitive about them. The smaller provinces fear that a change in the original plan may deprive them of the benefits of the development. When the government actively engages with the heads of private companies but fails to take three Chief Ministers on board, problems are bound to rise.
The Prime Minister’s invitation to the heads of parliamentary parties was a positive step. While the special bicameral parliamentary committee for regular oversight of the CPEC project should be set up, there is a need on the Prime Minister’s part to have another meeting with the parliamentary party heads to address their reservations.
