QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly on Thursday demanded of the federal government to allocate funds for the development of western route of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The provincial assembly session, which resumed with acting speaker Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo in chair, adopted a joint resolution with regard to funds allocation.

Deputy opposition leader Zamarak Achakzai tabled the resolution, which was thoroughly discussed by the house.

Addressing the feasibility of the resolution, Achakzai complained that despite the declaration of All Parties Conference (APC) and the prime minister's announcement, funds have not been allocated for the western route of CPEC.

"Balochistan has to be the major beneficiary of CPEC," Jan Muhammad Jamali, the former speaker said while commenting on the resolution.

Members of the treasury and opposition benches demanded immediate allocation of funds for the western route and termed it "crucial for the province's development".

The western route, which starts from Gwadar and goes to Kashgar in China via Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, is being built on a priority basis and most of its sectors would be completed by the end of next year.

Also read: Parliamentary panel asks govt to give priority to CPEC’s western route

The CPEC is a 15-year project between Pakistan and China spanning 2015-2030, while the Western route is among the ‘Early Harvest Projects’ which have to be completed by 2018.

Earlier, the Balochistan government handed over 644 acres of land to China for the establishment of Free Trade Zone in Gwadar.

Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Malik Baloch, while addressing a function in Gwadar said that Gwadar can be declared a free port city to attract national and international investment.

He added that Gwadar would serve to be an "economic door", opening new vistas of development and prosperity in the region.

"CPEC would be secured and protected at all costs", the Chief Minister said, emphasising the role CPEC would play in further strengthening ties between Pakistan and China.

Last week, the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Sun Weidong, said that CPEC would "bring an end to unemployment" in Balochistan, making the province a "major beneficiary" of the multi-billion dollar economic development project.

Read more: CPEC will help end unemployment in Balochistan, says Chinese envoy

The chief minister said the rights of indigenous people of Gwadar would be protected and that all out efforts would be made to improve the living standards of locals.

Related: Questions raised in Senate on western route of CPEC