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ISLAMABAD: Members of the Senate standing committee on communications opposed on Monday the changes proposed in the route of Pak-China Economic Corridor and warned that they would take the matter to the Senate and resign if backward areas of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were not included in the plan.
The chairman of the committee, Mr Daud Khan Achakzai, said, “The original route of the Pak-China Economic Corridor passes through Gwadar, Quetta, Zhob and Dera Ismail Khan.” If the alignment was changed, he said, the matter would be taken to the Senate.
Also read: Senators angry over change in route of Pak-China corridor
Committee member Humayun Khan Mandokhel said that Gwadar was becoming a national and international seaport. Balochistan lags behind in agriculture, industry and business. The Gwadar Deep Sea Port is considered to be a ray of hope for the poor and backward people of the province. Keeping the problems being faced by the people of Balochistan in mind, “the route of Pak-China Economic Corridor must be aligned through Gwadar, Quetta, Zhob, or else I will resign”, he warned. “We will not allow Balochistan to be bypassed in everything,” he said.
Members of the committee urged the government to remove doubts regarding the project and inform the nation about it.
Mr Achakzai said that Pakistan and China were bound by relations of friendship, but Chinese investors kept their personal interests in mind. He said the government, the communications ministry and the National Highway Authority (NHA) should also be guided by national interests.
Rozi Khan Kakar, Islamuddin Sheikh, Yousaf Badini, Zahid Khan, Nisar Mohammad, Kamil Ali Agha and officials of the communications ministry and the NHA also attended the meeting.
Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2014
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Comments (43) Closed
Dec 09, 2014 07:12am
Mr Daud Khan Achakzai's reasons appear logical and are the need of the day for Baluchistan and Khyber as well.
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Dec 09, 2014 07:17am
Totally agree. Punjab is already much more developed than Balochistan and KPK . The existing route plan must not be changed on any condition. It is critical not only for Pakistan's development and progress but also for central asia.
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Dec 09, 2014 07:20am
The corridor should pass through the most economically feasible route, while trying to uplift areas along the corridor. However if security cannot be guaranteed throughout the corridor it is almost natural that some modifications be made to it. Nothing to resign over, rather he should work harder to ensure the areas already planned have better security so investors are reasured. That's what a real leader and politician would do.
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Dec 09, 2014 07:22am
The original route plan show be implemented, while connecting highways from that route to major cities appended.
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Dec 09, 2014 07:31am
So nationalistic parties are doing Politics on this issue as well? Pak-China corridor is not all about building a Road from China to Gwadar and then getting some taxes from China as the toll-tax. Rather this corridor serves some special purpose and that is to connect the Industrial hubs of Pakistan with the deep sea port along with the facilitation of China as well. Since Pakistan cannot afford to build such routes so they want to add China in the equation as well.
The route of this corridor must cross or connect with all the Industrial Hubs of Pakistan so the vital interests of our country should be served first.
Punjab and Sindhi generate 90 percent of the total revenue of Pakistan and Bypassing these two provinces will prove to be a disaster and will be a stupid policy. Industrial and Agri hubs of our country should be given the first priority in any given plans. Secure your interests first and then dream to serve others as well. I am afraid just like Kala-Bagh dam this project will be politicized and will not be materialized in the future.
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Dec 09, 2014 07:47am
Minor improvements are OK, but yes let us not neglect the less developed areas.
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Dec 09, 2014 07:53am
It seems no one cares about development of Baluchistan in the planning commission of Pakistan. A legitimate demand of Baluchistan should be met where killings , rapes and torture is the order of the day.
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Dec 09, 2014 08:01am
Genuine point. Its Pakistan where to manage and execute the corridor and this opportunity to bring people of Balichistan at par with rest of country or may above the rest. China is not dictate us.
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Dec 09, 2014 08:47am
Action would speak louder so keep it up
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Dec 09, 2014 08:57am
Work on both the routes old and new one, both are in benefit of Pakistan.
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Dec 09, 2014 09:08am
Balochistan Government have to build first the road first then claim, since 1947 this route in not constructed, despite many fund in past approved for the construction of the road. There should motorway in this route then it will be shortest possible route as well as benefit for the local people, who don't have any alternate.
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Dec 09, 2014 09:12am
the so called senator should resigned,he want route through his area...
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Dec 09, 2014 09:30am
Open the agreed route then develop other routes. The trade will increase at such a pace, heavy traffic will require, several routes.Pakistans revenues will rise at phenomenal rate, taking us into trade surplus.
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Dec 09, 2014 09:46am
Pak-China Economic Corridor is the cheapest logistical link for China. The credit should be given to Gen Pervaz Musharraf as this idea was envisaged by his government.
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Dec 09, 2014 09:56am
Two routes should be there, primary the Gawadar port, and than government should ask these tribal leaders to maintain peace on the trade route, if they fail the route should be changed instead of loosing the trade
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Dec 09, 2014 10:04am
My cousin is using resignation as a tool when his only two months remains! I think he will record his resignation just some hours before his tenure is complete. Just politics never sincere with people!
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Dec 09, 2014 10:05am
Dawood remained committee chairman for years; he couldn't dare completing the Quetta Chaman highway work, how will you push Chinese government changing their route? Only politics no sincerety!
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Dec 09, 2014 10:06am
@Imran Khan but his logic on his home town road from Quetta to Chaman remains not constructed even after ten years. Now he reminds projects when only his two months remains.
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Dec 09, 2014 10:08am
The decision should take in national interest, the areas of Balochistan and Khyber Pashtunkhwa are more secure than the one now planned by Chinese and Pakistani government. Central government should never change the route. Otherwise, the backward areas would think they are not counted in Pakistan.
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Dec 09, 2014 10:10am
reasonably good because balochistan in inaccessible for other pakistanies, after building corridor to this route get them chance to meet their fellow pakistani brothers. i have suggestion why don't they connect many routes to this corridor to other cities so that everyone get benefit also our product go to international market using same route easily and conveniently. same time these guys also convince to make kalabagh dam for national interest so people of thar, balochistan, sindh get more water to grow their crops as well as make policing system strong in balochistan and fata area.
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Dec 09, 2014 10:32am
Government priority should be to include
un development areas. Make sure there is no devotion after plans are approved. Another thing to make sure no kickbacks given to anyone.
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Dec 09, 2014 10:40am
@Malik G everyone from Punjab and Sindh thinks that they are the only ones paying taxes and working for betterment of Pakistan. You are forgetting all natural resources are coming from Baluchistan and your electricity minerals etc from KPK so next time think before you post such idiotic comments.
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Dec 09, 2014 10:42am
@Omar so All Pakistan is left with is Punjab? if their is security threat in those areas then its government's responsibility to maintain law and order..people of that area also deserve same kind and standard of living as enjoyed by people of Punjab!
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Dec 09, 2014 11:36am
but please do it within the time lines, avoid making it a kala bagh dam.
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Dec 09, 2014 11:37am
The best option would be to run it through Quetta and D.I. Khan but the security situation in Balochistan and the nearby trible areas would make it impossible. Its been reported that Chinese too don't feel it safe to go that way. And do consider that along the route there in future, are going to be investments in fectories and plant which could not happen in the present situation. Fact is that the original plan of building it through Quetta is the shortest in length too. May be the government should plan both the routes in the longer run. I have no doubt, every Punjabi would want it to go through Balochistan so that people of that province get developed to the level of other areas.
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Dec 09, 2014 11:48am
There are also legitimate concerns over the project. I would like to highlight glaring flaw in the Burhan - Mansehra motorway project: the route could be 40 km shorter between Mansehra and Islamabad, if this motorway originates at Taxila interchange instead of Burhan. 40 km translates into at least 20 minutes of extra traveling and importantly more consumption of fuel and hence cost for travelers; as the motorway will be used for decades by generation after generation, the cost of wasted time and fuel will be immense.
In Hazara division, we can only make one conclusion: the longer road translates into more revenue for the contractors and also certain politicians have assured that their lands comes in the path of construction so they can sell it to NHA on inflated costs.
Will someone help the people of Hazara ? A newspaper like Dawn should investigate why the obvious route for the motorway was not selected.
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Dec 09, 2014 12:01pm
Why dont built two link. Either corridor is there or not Baloch erquired to have a good infrastructure that link them to rest of the country and beyond.
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Dec 09, 2014 12:10pm
An appropriate route should benefit all people of Pakistan!
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Dec 09, 2014 01:46pm
@abi i would either suggest one corridor on balochistan to kpk and link to different cities such as in usa interstate route link to smal interstat route many cities, also one strong railway cargo train also necessary. with chinese help build cargo aircraft to flew gwadar for urgent need of supplies.
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Dec 09, 2014 01:52pm
@Combaticus
And this was report a while ago by the effected people. Here is the news from Dawn website:
http://www.dawn.com/news/668671/faulty-design-to-escalate-hazara-expressway-cost
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Dec 09, 2014 02:14pm
The route must stay the same as initially proposed. The less developed areas of Balochistan and KPK shall get the opportunity to connect with an important trade corridor. Apart from the road link, the concerned authroities must consider introducing a railway link to enable Gwadar Port function in a competitive manner. Issues of security, dependable ICT infrastructure and other logistic faclities must be resolved with the transparent involvement of local entrepreneurs.
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Dec 09, 2014 02:55pm
Economic development route passing through less developed areas would benefit Pakistan in two ways (1) It will help develop less developed areas of KPK and Baluchistan, creating job opportunities for certain neglected areas, and lessen any complain for deprivation (2) It will prevent creation of excessive environmental polution to already developed, crowded areas of the country. No sense adding more air pollution , more noise pollution and more traffic to heavily populated areas, causing more lung disease, and more nervous disorders to inhabitants of crowded areas. Better should do what is good for the country, rather think of what is good for their individual constituencies.
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Dec 09, 2014 02:58pm
A very thoughtful and worth praise effort by the honourable Mr d. K. Achakazai.
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Dec 09, 2014 04:06pm
The present development one sees in Punjab and Sindh is due to the road and mainly rail communication all along the eastern provinces. If similar new network is laid and invested between the western two provinces (KPK - Balochistan) this will bring economic growth and opportunity for the masses. New industries will emerge all along with trade. It is right time to develop those areas. The development will also bring equal population dispersion as eastern areas are overpopulated than the west of the country.
Stick to the original plan.
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Dec 09, 2014 05:51pm
This is what Nawaz - PML-N did with original alignment of Islamabad-Lahore Motorway M2. PML-N politicians realigned the route to sell their waste land.
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Dec 09, 2014 05:57pm
Don't Do that to Baloch People Don't give them another reason to Hate you Dear Punjab.
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Dec 09, 2014 06:47pm
@Omar - dear when a region is developed only then security will prevail. On the other hand, u r suggesting we should let some regions go as we can not guarantee security. What a statement. We must guarantee security in every corner of Pakistan at all cost. Change your mind set and let these excuses be a thing of the past. We have half a million standing army.
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Dec 09, 2014 06:55pm
Build the existing corridore, build a grand world class university in Baluchistan and KPK. Let there be development in these two neglected provinces to have a stronger Pakistan.
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Dec 10, 2014 12:40pm
@Malik Achakzai but why the current Balochistan Govt are not Taking the Issue in Parliament..?
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Dec 11, 2014 06:05am
Who will gurantee that the Baluchi Chieftains will behave themselves???? tehy have opposed any sort of development in their areas for centuries. I hope they will realize the potential and opportunity for their people and welcome the investment rather than immersion in there own petty interests.
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Dec 11, 2014 06:07am
@deven I have witnessed first hand the opposition of the Baluchi chiefs to building roads in their areas of influence. Lets not blame Punjab for everything.
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Dec 11, 2014 06:09am
@ShamefullPakistani why are you shamefull???
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Dec 11, 2014 06:09am
repent and sin no more as dandy warhol would say;)
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