CPEC: Western route issue to be resolved in parliamentary body: Ahsan

Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday said that western route issue of ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) should be resolved in the parliamentary committee instead of taking it to courts or discuss in media. He expressed these views while talking to media during signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for technical assistance in energy sector at the secretariat of ministry of planning, development and reforms. Secretary Planning Commission Naseem Khokhar and USAID's Pakistan Mission Director, John Groarke signed the MoU, while the federal minister for planning witnessed the ceremony.
He said that decision of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to take the issue of CPEC to court was unrealistic as it would create difficulties for province. He said that foreign investment could not be attracted through courts rather such an action would have a negative impact. He said he met with the KPK assembly speaker and informed him that reservations of KPK government over CPEC were not facts based.
He said that through the MOU signed, the integrated energy planning process would help policymakers understand the impacts of different energy policy options and support effective short-term decisions that are consistent with long-term energy and economic objectives. The minister informed that reservations of KPK chief minister and other PTI leaders had been removed at a high level meeting held at Planning Commission on May 11. The demands of KPK leadership had also been included in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), he added. Terming the revival of economy and prosperity of country above any politics, he informed that all provinces were being given equal opportunities in the CPEC, he added.
He maintained that several hydel power generation projects including Dasu dam, DiamirBhasha dam and Munda dam were initiated in KPK. He said Indus Highway and Lawari Tunnel were being completed in the province while 13 projects were approved by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in KPK. About western route, he said, the QuettaGwadar section of the route had already been completed while D.I. KhanBurhan section of the route would be completed by the NLC before 2018.
Through the CPEC, Ahsan Iqbal said, the underdeveloped and backward areas would get more benefits from this mega project. The national level project of CPEC should not be used for party politics, he added. He said that China was Pakistan's time tested friend and partner adding that, they should not politicise the project. He expressed confidence that all differences in this regard will be resolved in a democratic way.
Speaking at the ceremony, he said the country was able to produce up to 16,000 MW in its 70 years while this capacity has been increased to produce an additional 10,000 MW by 2018. He said the objective of this MOU was to set up an integrated energy management center to optimise demand and supply of electricity in the country. He further said it was the right time to do right estimation of our future energy needs.
On this occasion, USAID Mission Director, John Groarke said, "Through the improved planning process, government and utilities will evaluate a range of feasible policy and resource options and assess them against a common set of planning objectives and criteria. The integrated energy planning process will help policymakers understand the impacts of different energy policy options."