‘No funds allocated for southern route of CPEC’

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National Highway Authority on Friday briefed the Senate Standing Committee for Communications that no funds have been allocated for the southern route of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project.

NHA authorities briefed the committee that 150 billion rupees have been allocated for the northern route while no funds have been allocated for the southern route in the current budget.

Senate committee also summoned Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal for briefing.

Member of the committee Usman Kakar said that Ahsan Iqbal told the all parties conference (APC) that 50 percent of the budget would be allocated for the southern route.

“If another protest starts on CPEC then no one would be able to control the situation” Kakar warned.

He questioned that if the officials are unable to satisfy the committee then should they summon someone from China to give the briefing.

Committee Chairman Dawood Achakzai said that the ministry of communications is with the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif himself. He complained that the same person has been appointed as secretary communications and chairman NHA.

The committee summoned planning minister Ahsan Iqbal in next meeting to remove concerns and confusion on key project.