Alienating the only strategic partner
Bad governance, the hallmark of the PML-N administration, continues to cause problems to the government and the country. Three projects started with the Chinese participation illustrate the point. The “fast track” Gadani Power Project with an estimated cost of $6-8 billion, which was the centrepiece of the PML-N’s power generation policy, has finally been consigned to the backburner after nearly two years. This has happened despite three visits to China by the PM and several by Shahbaz Sharif and Ahsan Iqbal. We gather now that the project was launched without the government settling financial and technical details with the Chinese partners and without any detailed site selection study. The PM was so much in hurry that he proceeded to lay the foundation stone without a clear agreement on crucial matters. Instead of accepting responsibility, the power ministry has put the blame on the ‘changing priorities of the Chinese government’ for the failure.
The delay in the implementation of Nandipur Project, started with the help of a Chinese company, was used by Shahbaz Sharif to accuse the PPP government of corruption and of conspiring against Punjab. The project was taken into hands by the ‘efficient’ CM of Punjab soon after coming to power but it, too, has failed to meet several deadlines.
The Economic Corridor being set up with the Chinese help has also become a subject of controversy because the original route was changed without taking all stakeholders into confidence. Beijing has meanwhile made it known that it played no role in the determination of the route. On Tuesday there were two walkouts from the Senate on the issue. An ANP Senator from KP declared that the party considered this a bigger issue than Kalabagh Dam and would forcefully oppose it with the support of nationalists in Sindh, Balochistan and KP and the depressed minority of Punjab’s backward areas.
China is Pakistan’s sole strategic partner now. Beijing would not appreciate the way projects started with its help have been allowed to give birth to controversy in Pakistan.
The failure to build a badly needed hydro power plant does not show lack of money. It shows the impotence of the government and the people, the industry and the nation's economy who need electric supply as badly as food and shelter. What is needed is the will to build with the project with Pakistani money and a sense of determination to be sel sufficient. The news is shocking indeed.
When traitor like media pakistan today there can be no develepment in country
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