The PPP on Monday submitted a motion in the Senate Secretariat seeking debate on statements made by US Defence Sec­retary James Mattis regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The motion, filed by Senator Sehar Kamran, says that the defence sec­retary's statement regarding the CPEC is an attempt by the US to sabotage the $56 billion project.

It adds that the statement amounts to interference in Pakistan's domestic affairs.

On Saturday, Mattis had informed Congress that US believes CPEC passes through a disputed territory ─ originally an Indian claim ─ further straining relations between the US and Pakistan that have been tense following Donald Trump's new South Asia policy.

Mattis had stated before the Senate Armed Services Committee that the US supports neither Beijing's One Belt One Road (OBOR) project nor the CPEC.

“The OBOR also goes through disputed territory, and I think that in itself shows the vulnerability of trying to establish that sort of a dictate,” Mattis had said.

India, incensed that projects under CPEC cut through the Gilgit-Baltistan region, has maintained that CPEC is a violation of its sovereignty.

Earlier this week, responding to US reservations regarding the project, Islamabad had asserted that “CPEC is a development and connectivity project for the betterment of the people in the region and beyond."

Beijing, too, has dismissed US criticism of the projects.

America supporting terrorism

In the second motion, the PPP has sought debate on statements made by former Afghan president Hamid Karzai in which he alleged that the US is supporting the militant Islamic State (IS) group in Afghanistan and supplying extremists with weapons.

The motion recognises Karzai's statements as holding "great importance" for Pakistan and adds that US support for terrorism in the region "may affect the security of Pakistan."

In his interview with foreign media, Karzai had said that he has "more than suspicions" that US bases are being used to aid the IS.

He also claimed that the terror group has been able to spread its tentacles in the country just under the nose of the US forces and the CIA.

The PPP has demanded that normal business of the House be adjourned to discuss the statements made by Mattis and Karzai.

Opinion

Editorial

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...