China-Pakistan corridor: Prove claims of route change, challenges Iqbal
60
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday challenged the politicians who have accused the government of altering the route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to substantiate their allegations with evidence.
Addressing the convocation of the Rawalpindi Medical College in the garrison city, the minister assured that "not a single inch of the originally proposed route has been changed" and that "such baseless allegations" were not in the nation's interest.
Also read: China-Pakistan corridor: Visibility of the game changer
Iqbal said China's investment of $46 billion would prove a milestone for Pakistan's economic development and would change the outlook of the country's economy.
He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would brief parliamentary leaders on matters relating to CPEC on May 13.
The minister said that youth is the future of Pakistan and they have a major role to play in the development of the country.
Take a look: Sound bytes: 'Economic corridor will have multiple routes’
During Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent visit to Pakistan, Pakistani and Chinese officials signed a series of over 50 accords to inaugurate the CPEC, which will create a network of roads, railways and pipelines linking China's restive west to the Arabian Sea through Pakistan.
The project is part of Beijing's “Belt and Road” plan to expand its trade and transport footprint across Central and South Asia. It will give China easier access to Middle Eastern oil via the deepwater port of Gwadar.
The project generated controversy with political leaders particularly of smaller provinces alleging that the project had been altered to benefit Punjab.
Know more: China reaffirms commitment on economic corridor
The route apparently under its original plan ran from Gwadar to Quetta, then up to Zhob before veering east towards Dera Ismail Khan.
The government was criticised for having allegedly changed this route to go straight east from Gwadar towards Khuzdar, then slightly northeast to cross the River Indus near Ratodero and connect with the road network in Sindh.
The government has however strenuously denied that any route changes were made, arguing that two routes are being pursued, and on the request of the Chinese, the second route was being built first simply because it was cheaper to do so.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (60) Closed
May 02, 2015 04:22pm
Can you first tell us what was the "Original" route?
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 04:30pm
Good move by the government to silence Indian backed chaos creators
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 04:45pm
Can He disclose , what is the real and first build route , Minster used to say many times there is 33 routes but which one will be construct first , and when the other 2 will be made ,in next 40 years after first route . Please govt of Pak clear that issue . Other wise other provinces have sever reservation because only Punjab knows what is reality
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 04:48pm
If Ahsan Iqbal is right. I Salute PML N leadership by looking interest
of whole nation rather than Punjab solely.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 04:51pm
For those who clearly read but cant understand. Please read this part of the passage and try to understand if this doesnt mean that govt is pursuing an alternate route.
"The route apparently under its original plan ran from Gwadar to Quetta, then up to Zhob before veering east towards Dera Ismail Khan.
The government was criticised for having allegedly changed this route to go straight east from Gwadar towards Khuzdar, then slightly northeast to cross the River Indus near Ratodero and connect with the road network in Sindh."
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 04:53pm
Neither the 'original' route, nor the changed route are the best. I would suggest a route that passes through the middle of the country (North-South) with off-shoots connecting all provincial capitals to the corridor. It means, Karachi, Quetta, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar should not be on the corridor but connected to it.
The so-called original route does misses Sindh completely as well as all of southern and central Punjab, whereas the 'changed' route misses all of northern Balochistan and southern and western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Both routes are thus not correct.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 04:53pm
Where is the $30 billion investment in industrial parks, roads, rail link going? Is it using the existing motor ways ? Maps on aljazeera & Chinese State official TV excluded KP & Baluchistan.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 05:00pm
It is a great stupidity on the part of government not to publish a map of the Economic corridor. In this vacuum everybody is inventing maps and spreading rumors.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 05:01pm
our politician always fight for something which to a common man always refers to as something happened at either North or South pole and opposition no it never happened and Govt leaders insist it happened ???? if there was an earlier plan for this can some one please put that in news for the VOTERS reference so we can see that and what that plan which is approved finally ?.
but, out politician have a habit of keeping the VOTERS in dark and keep on doing something without voters mandate ... they would beg and plea for votes but they don't assume it appropriate to consult the VOTERS for any project / development. why ?
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 05:10pm
Why Karachi is not included in this corridor i fail to comprehend.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 05:14pm
@Irfan Umrani
Not everybody who is criticizing the route is Indian backed.It seems all development is being done for Punjab and in Punjab. Smaller provinces have clearly genuine concerns with this govt.Instead of addressing them, govt is trying to create confusion.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 05:17pm
So he is terming the changed route as the original one!!!
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 05:26pm
"The government has however strenuously denied that any route changes were made, arguing that two routes are being pursued, and on the request of the Chinese, the second route was being built first simply because it was cheaper to do so."
Really?? How second route is cheaper?? I think that is 700KM extra long.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 05:27pm
When you say original, where is it documented and published. How long ago was it agreed and between whom. Please do not tell us that the original route you are telling us was decided a month George Xi visit. Bottom line, provide proof to support your statement.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 05:37pm
In a democratic society decisions are taken after thorough discussions and taking everyone on board but in Autocracy, briefing happens during the time of implementation and decision making happens behind closed doors. People are far wiser than what they were a decade ago. It is difficult to make others fool. Where is the final route map?
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 05:39pm
Those who don't even know the original route should wait till May, 13th at least before spitting venom against Punjab and Punjabis!!
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 05:39pm
Good question; they only know the blame game and false slogans without any knowledge about details of the project !!!!!
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 05:40pm
@KM
Why question if you even don't know what was the original route ? Why hinder national projects unnecessarily ?
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 05:41pm
@Nadeem
Very true, Sir !!!!!
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 05:44pm
infighting----music.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 05:44pm
@Original Route
Don't try to mislead others by your word 'apparently', when you don't know exactly about the route please.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 05:47pm
@ghayyas
There is something known as feasibility, Sir !!!!! Moreover, this project is funded by China and you cannot rule out their preferred option too. However, I believe that in future the route is going to be linked with more than the cities you mentioned.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 05:49pm
@AsR
You know Sir, in that case the mafia will try to buy land and sell it at higher cost for the project !!!!!
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 05:52pm
@DawnAdmirer
You need to first acquaint yourself with the map of Pakistan, Sir before you raise issue about other cities too. Karachi will, however, be linked !!!!!
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 05:52pm
@ghayyas Well thought out map, mate. Loved it.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 05:54pm
@Gfellow
The route was to be decided between the government of Pakistan and China, who thought about it. Rest should just relax and enjoy the benefits please !!!!!
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 05:55pm
i can,t believe PML-N govt is too good in dodging.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 06:05pm
@AsR - please my dear friends. There is no conspiracy or rumours. This is time of information. Check out chinese news and u will find out for yourself that its all Punjab focus under PMLN
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 06:13pm
It's much better now that Ahsan Iqbal has cleared the position.Now let the government to begin the project asap.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 06:22pm
I am from Karachi and I believe that those undeveloped areas should be given importance first that includes Baluchistan, KPK and then Lower Punjab. otherwise wealth accumulation will be in certain areas which is not a good sign for Pakistan.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 06:25pm
Its not about the rout but the sites where economic centers will constructed and it seem that all projects will be started along the first rout, which is going through sind and panjab only.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 06:26pm
where is the representation from Gilgit Baltistan.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 06:29pm
@zeeshan agreed, and this will help in equality and end to ethnic politics.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 06:51pm
I think everybody knows what was original route. Government should consider that we are suffering huge loses because of previous such policies. Like Kalabagh Dam, Copper Sandak project. Boluchistan is our big asset which could give more to Pakistan economy than Karachi.
My advise is to develop Boluchistan and improve Pakistan economy.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 07:40pm
I am one factory investor in Karachi, and sincerely wish this milestone project between our two friendly countries can be carried out smoothly and timely. However my personal experience in Pak make me feel very pessimistic due to rampant corruption and delay !
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 07:59pm
It is pity that ethnic parties like ANP do politics at cost of national interest. Kalabagh dam politics and country suffering power and wate shortages. Pl stop playing dirty politics.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 08:31pm
This corridore was seen as a needed opportunity to develop baluchistan an KPK which is not happening now. We must be ashamed a a nation to cave in the terrorist and using a route which is 1000 km longer and will not provide easy access to connect Afghanistan and Rusia. Please focus on under developed regions as they are equally important.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 08:47pm
@RJ it is already there. National highway will be converted into motorway. Constructing in raid balochistan désert from scratch is expensive.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 08:54pm
First restore peace then build roads
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 09:04pm
Instead of conceiving fast and delivering slow, people are conceiving slow and delivering fast. First know the facts i.e. original and modified routes, evaluate their pros and cons and then give your input. The economic and financial viability should be the main consideration. PTI should not bother because they don't believe in infrastructure development..
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 09:30pm
Typical slaver menatlity relying on outside investment rather than having tangible internal economic growth plans, no matter which route it is 1. Construction contracts will be with chinese companies 2. When all these routes are built will only carry chinese goods benefiting china
3. Peanuts for Pakistan even in that the maximum chunk will be taken by our rubbers politicians
So what economic corridor we are talking about
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 10:03pm
Same forces that oppose kala bagh dam
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 10:07pm
The best solution is two routes because the so called original route ognores and overlooks the province of Sindh completely which is not fair at all. Why one route alone? This route of Gawadar, quetta & Zhob may cater for kashgar with esp reference to Central Asia supplies and other route may cater for kashgar specific supplies only. People of Sindh and south Punjab people are very downtrodden and poverty ridden. They must be benefitted from this opportunity also.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 10:17pm
Concerns for route change, Terminal stations and related surroundings are not a myth.Govt of Pakistan portraying this corridor to be of LIFE+LINE importance for Pakistan.Its true and all agree, but stop for a while and think of an attitude.Since 1948, after getting independence from DOGRAS, elders of Gilgit Baltistan voluntarily annexed with Pakistan.Since then, people of Gilgit Baltistan are dreaming for the self governance rights.A strange logic from establishment ,when GB people ask for their rights , there's an argument from Pakistan that you are a disputed territory and such basic RIGHTS cant be bestowed on you.But on the other hand, we are observing all this 46B Episode of Pak China Corridor, where Gilgit Baltistan is the Gateway and rightly BACKBONE,I wonder how can Pakistan arrange to use a disputed area for its own interest, while they deny RIGHTS with argument of declaring it as disputed.
Give people their rights and be sure of your success.Denial of justice leaves no room!
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 10:24pm
spot on.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 10:25pm
Meanwhile in India: For home built indigenous reactors, it has chosen Gorakhpur, Haryana, for 4X700 MW reactors, Chutka in Madhya Pradesh for 2X700 MW reactors, Bhimpur, Madhya Pradesh, for 4X700 MW reactors, Kaiga, in Karnataka for 2X700MW and Mahi Banswara in Rajasthan for 4X700 MW reactors.
With foreign cooperation, it is setting up in Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu, 4X1,000 MW reactors alongwith Russia, in Jaitapur, Maharashtra, 6X1,650 MW reactors in cooperation with France, in Chhaya MithiVirdi, Gujarat, 6X1,000 MW reactors with the US and Kovvada, Andhra Pradesh, 6X1,000 reactors with the US, and Haripur, West Bengal, 6X1,000 MW reactors with Russia. First three are scheduled to be completed by 2016 and 2017. Rest before 2019. Look Pakistan... Look at here.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 10:34pm
@string
pakistan should use eastern & western routes for departure and arrival of goods.
if there is infrastructure damage it will be good because we could use optional route.
Don't treat this issue like kala bagh.
gawadar is made for western route. if it is not linked properly then it is futile port operation.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 10:45pm
@Riaz Sir, I won't allow others to build anything on my premise which does not comply with the requirements of mine and my family members. I will stop such exercise if it leads to quarrel in my family unless I want to take some undue advantage from it.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 10:48pm
It is the prerogative of China who is footing the bill to decide its most appropriate route. Those who feel neglected, should come forward with proposals for any number of "Lateral connections" to the route, at their own costs. There is no free lunch for all from China in this matter.
Recommend
0
May 02, 2015 11:25pm
Please build it even if it just goes through Punjab only. Anp and others who are criticising now when they were in power for five years did they built anything or they even came up with a mega plan like this? All they want is to do politics over it. Maybe they want to just stay in the news. By the way I am from KPK
Recommend
0
May 03, 2015 12:16am
@Original Route You too please read very carefully "The route apparently under its original plan ran from .........." Apparently? Apparently from where to where and thru' what?
Recommend
0
May 03, 2015 12:36am
@zeeshan zeeshan you forgot to mention your own province?people of sindh dont deserve to benefit from this project? i'll be anxiously waiting for your reply
Recommend
0
May 03, 2015 12:50am
i think representatives from all the four provinces should sit down and have a heart to heart..lets not get ethnic about this..all the four provinces need development and need them on asap basis..sindh, balochistan ,kpk and south punjab have the most underdeveloped areas in the country and its equally true that central punjab has important economic centres which ultimately would also need connectivity to this corridor,what im trying to say is that all four provinces need the trickle down effect of this project,its better to sit down and work out a formula which results in maximum benefit rather than saying 'I NEED THIS CORRIDOR THE MOST'
Recommend
0
May 03, 2015 02:30am
@DawnAdmirer because the road ends at Gawadar which lies parallel to karachi, and not on the way.
Recommend
0
May 03, 2015 03:51am
There are key factors Pakistan people should pay attention. Don't build a road which only serve to transport. Focus, it's impact on Pakistan defense, a exit and easy to transport goods, and easy access to industry. Build a road where you could attract talent, and assists people to connect. Access to universities, cities and water.
Recommend
0
May 03, 2015 05:11am
Let the Chinese decide which way it should go. They are experts in calculating the miles and cost. China can send a team of experts who can visit the whole route and make the decision with some clean input from Pakistan's side. But the final Okay should be Chinese. After all it is their money and their trade. Pakistan should step aside and reap the rewards in shape of labor and technology.
Recommend
0
May 03, 2015 05:19am
@DawnAdmirer The goal is to lower the load on Karachi port not increase it.
Recommend
0
May 03, 2015 06:12am
Common sense tells that China obviously wants the shortest route from Gwadar to Kashgar.
China does not want to have a zigzag route through Pakistan, traversing all provinces and their capitals, as she is not Pakistan Road Building Organization
Recommend
0
May 03, 2015 07:02am
@DawnAdmirer Punjab is 60% of the population. It stands to reason that Punjab will get 60% of the development. If you actually read the list of development activities conducted by the federal government as part of the Pak-China program, hardly all of the development is going to Punjab. Much of the work in Punjab is done by their provincial governments and if you don't like it, please feel free to elect better leaders for your own province.
Recommend
0
May 03, 2015 07:52am
Government of Pakistan may build the alternate road network through Baloachistan and KPK from its own resources. You can not expect that China will solve all of Pakistan's infrastructure issues. The political parties which are not happy with current corridor should come forward with solid proposals.
Recommend
0
