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ISLAMABAD: Apropos a story titled “CPEC master plan revealed” appearing in Dawn on May 15, Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal has said that CPEC’s Long Term Plan is not a project document, rather it “delineates the aspirations of both sides”.
Read: What is CPEC's master plan?
“It is a live document and both sides [China and Pakistan] have an understanding to modify it as per the need besides reviewing it periodically,” Mr Iqbal claimed on Monday.
While describing the news item as “one-sided and factually incorrect”, he said it was based on a “redundant document”.
He did not elaborate on what was factually incorrect in the story.
Explaining the process, the minister said that China Development Bank (CDB) and National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) study referred to as Long Term Plan (LTP) was basically meant for consultations only. “Pakistani side has developed a Transport Monographic Study to complement the CDB and NDRC work. Afterwards, the two sides mutually developed an abridged version, which was shared with all provinces, concerned ministries and departments and their input on LTP was sought.”
Mr Iqbal said that input from the stakeholders was incorporated in the LTP after an extensive consultative process and final version was shared with the cabinet and the Prime Minister’s Office.
LTP has been approved by the cabinet and shared with the Chinese side for developing a mutual agreement on it.
“Any version of Long Term Plan prior to the approved abridged version stands redundant and irrelevant,” he said.
However, the minister did not say why only an abridged version was shared with the stakeholders, and whether the final draft taken up with NDRC in Beijing on Monday will be made public.
Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2017
Comments (14) Closed
In pursuit of development and improvement 80% should be self effort and investment in human capital rest can be some guidance and friendly treaties and share can be actual investment. Giving up the core of development to outsiders result in high investment in areas not of critical importance to host. The world doesn't need to be controlled with military anymore when we have commerce.
Why there is so much secrecy around the details of this project.
Hipocracy...at its peak
Well well.....obviously they will deny now
Investment/loan of this magnitude has not preplanend amazing policy.
He still has plans to change it more and more. First he changed the western route now he says its not final. It clearly means a little bit given to other provinces will also be changed and it will become a total Punjab China Economic Corridor. Second thing the whole advantages and privileges are given to Chinese, there is nothing for Pakistan according to the yesterday's documents revealed. So if there is a little bit for Pakistan that will also be granted to the Chinese thats why the document is not complete.
Once cpec completed and start running China will Write off the entire loan
Good that plan is not real. It was a disaster
@Gondal They will NOT write off anything, where did you get that from?
Long, Medium, Interim, abridged version, working draft, final draft - or whatever name you give it. Was any documented presented to or discussed by Provincial Assemblies, National Assembly or Senate?
people out to create confusion and misunderstandings about CPEC as much possible. Government sys one thing and other day a new report not based on rights is published.
@Abdul the way it is being peddled is disasterous
CPEC CPEC CPEC, whats the big deal, billions have been stolen from our country and billions more will be stolen, CPEC is not a magic formula, we need strict accountability. Millions earned by CPEC will be stolen and the masses will not see any benefit, lets punish the thieves who have stolen our childrens future then we will see better benefit from projects like CPEC..
A confessional statement by the minister about the demerits of CPEC :)