FAISALABAD: The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is ‘haunting’ India and it is lobbying to make the project controversial, claims Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah.

Addressing the business community at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) on Monday, he said: “We will have to stand united to foil such conspiracies with unity, faith and collective wisdom.”

He said if nation missed this chance, the journey towards development, progress and prosperity would become more difficult.

He said Pakistan was facing daunting challenges of terrorism and energy crisis. “With the sincere efforts of the government, economy has started improving but at this crucial stage, nation will have to play a positive role instead of taking to streets and burning tyres.”

Commenting on the problems confronted by the business community, the law minister said generally tax officials abused their powers “but at the same time, tax evasion is plaguing the country as only 0.9 million people out of 200m population are paying tax.”

FPCCI President Mian Mohammad Idrees also addressed the gathering.

PROTEST: A number of tenants hailing from Azad Kashmir staged a protest demonstration on Monday against the Factory Area police for registering cases against them.

Carrying banners against the police, the protesters blocked traffic at Kutchery Chowk for more than an hour and chanted slogans against an inspector of the Factory Area police.

Talking to reporters, the protesters said they had come to Faisalabad in search of livelihood for their families and had rented houses in various areas.

“We have provided our complete particulars to the building owners and it was their responsibility to furnish such details to police,” one of the protesters said.

He said Factory Area police had started registration of cases against poor workers and took no action against landlords.

He said the workers got frightened because of frequent registration of cases and arrests.

The protesters have appealed to the chief minister to take stock of the situation and direct police for withdrawal of cases registered against what they said innocent workers.

After registering their protest, the people dispersed peacefully.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd , 2015

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