Daily Times

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been announced amid much fanfare. However, an alleged change in its route has stirred an unwanted controversy. A considerable number of parliamentarians hailing from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan as well as the leadership of mainstream opposition parties, i.e. the Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, have taken the federal government to task for ignoring their concerns regarding the finalisation of the route. They have demanded that the route must go through Balochistan and KP so that the smaller provinces, neglected areas and backward communities could gain the benefits of the CPEC. The government claims that baseless propaganda is being spread to politicise this much needed development project. A war of words has been going on over the issue but no serious efforts are being made to end the controversy. KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has expressed his government’s reservations over the proposed change to the CPEC route. He said that the previous route was 635 kilometres shorter than the new one. He has urged the federal government to make it clear if there is any change in the previous route, and what would be the benefits and losses of the alteration. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has made an effort to clarify the situation. He argues that no change has been made in the route, adding that several routes and alignments have been identified — of which the one that can be immediately put into operation by using the existing infrastructure is being opened up first, in mutual consultation with the Chinese side. No doubt the areas lying in the western part of the Indus Valley are tribal, underdeveloped and poorly policed. If such a big development starts there, it will make a positive impact on the social fabric of KP and Balochistan. It is also a chance for the government to reduce unemployment and deprivation of the Baloch and Pashtun people by laying the CPEC on a route that benefits Balochistan and KP.

The federal government needs to act sensibly. The controversy should not be allowed to linger on and become a festering wound. It should be resolved as soon as possible. The government should clarify whether it has changed the route or not. The Prime Minister should himself intervene and clear all the speculations in parliament. He should take the leadership of all provinces on board before finalising the route. There should not be any discrimination among provinces regarding the allocation of resources and launching of development works. If there is any intent to change the route, it should be made public along with its logical justifications. Undoubtedly, the CPEC can prove a game changer not only for China and Pakistan but also for the whole world. Instead of maintaining silence, the government needs to tackle the controversy and take parliament into confidence in order to put the country on the path of harmony and progress. *