QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri has said that the controversy over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor should be stopped after the start of work on its western route.

Speaking at a ceremony held to lay down the foundation stone of the project in Zhob, he said it was a positive step towards boosting the country’s economy.

Nawab Zehri said that the project would help in providing jobs to millions of youths of Balochistan and boost local economy.

President of the National Party Hasil Khan Bizenjo said that had development projects been completed in time in the past, there would have been complete peace in the areas facing insurgency-like situation. He said unemployment and lack of development were main causes of extremism and terrorism.

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the $46 billion CPEC project would resolve the basic issues and problems being faced by the people of the province. He said it would also help in paving the way for durable peace in the region. “Peace in Afghanistan was crucial for Pakistan.” He said a peaceful Afghanistan would provide access to Central Asia.

PkMAP chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai called for smooth and transparent working relations with neighbouring countries to make the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakis­tan and India pipeline project a success.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2015