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Azam Moosa Khel says CPEC will not be ‘successful’
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‘What progress has Gwadar seen under CPEC, so far?’
ISLAMABAD: Senators Friday, expressing concerns that Pakistan appeared to be getting the short end of the stick in Free-Trade Agreements (FTA) with Beijing as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, said information regarding the project was being withheld.
Senator Mian Atiq presented a motion in this regard, which also raised concerns that China was not utilising various economic concessions granted to it by Pakistan, adding that Islamabad’s value-added exports have not benefited under the FTA agreements.
He said there were concerns regarding the promotion of local industry.
Lawmakers also asked what Balochistan stands to gain from the project.
After the motion was presented, a debate regarding the benefits of the project to Pakistan took place in the House.
Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani subsequently asked who in parliament was withholding requested information and summoned all records pertaining to the matter.
“China has arrived in Gwadar, and almost all the business conducted in Pakistan is being undertaken by them,” PML-N’s Senator Kulsoom Parveen said.
“What progress has Gwadar seen under CPEC, so far?” she asked. “The people of Balochistan have not gained anything from the project.”
“Maybe the people of Balochistan will only be given jobs to fix punctured tires,” she said.
Senator Azam Moosa Khel said that “CPEC will not be successful.”
“What benefits have the people of Balochistan gained from the project?” the senator asked, echoing Senator Parveen’s concerns.
PPP’s Senator Farhatullah Babar told the Senate that the business community had sought inclusion in the formulation of agreements with China; however, they were not accommodated.
Calling for transparency in security arrangements for CPEC, he pointed out that “pieces of information regarding the project have been withheld.”
“We were told that there is a long-term plan but it cannot be shared,” he added.
