QUETTA: The provincial chief of Jamaat-i-Islami in Balochistan, Maulana Abdul Haque Hashmi, has urged the government to immediately start construction work on the western route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

Speaking at a ceremony in Loralai on Sunday, he said that the CPEC would prove to be a game changer as far as economic development was concerned and bring progress and prosperity to all countries in the region.

The JI leader said that all segments of society needed to play their role for the eradication of corruption from the country. He said that insecurity in Balochistan had contributed to decline in provincial economy, adding that peace was a must for a boost in economic activities.

Maulana Hashmi emphasised the need for construction of dams in Balochistan and warned that if dams were not built the province could turned into a desert.

He criticised the provincial government and accused it of being involved in corruption.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2015