The PPP on Monday submitted a motion in the Senate Secretariat seeking debate on statements made by US Defence Sec­retary James Mattis regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The motion, filed by Senator Sehar Kamran, says that the defence sec­retary's statement regarding the CPEC is an attempt by the US to sabotage the $56 billion project.

It adds that the statement amounts to interference in Pakistan's domestic affairs.

On Saturday, Mattis had informed Congress that US believes CPEC passes through a disputed territory ─ originally an Indian claim ─ further straining relations between the US and Pakistan that have been tense following Donald Trump's new South Asia policy.

Mattis had stated before the Senate Armed Services Committee that the US supports neither Beijing's One Belt One Road (OBOR) project nor the CPEC.

“The OBOR also goes through disputed territory, and I think that in itself shows the vulnerability of trying to establish that sort of a dictate,” Mattis had said.

India, incensed that projects under CPEC cut through the Gilgit-Baltistan region, has maintained that CPEC is a violation of its sovereignty.

Earlier this week, responding to US reservations regarding the project, Islamabad had asserted that “CPEC is a development and connectivity project for the betterment of the people in the region and beyond."

Beijing, too, has dismissed US criticism of the projects.

America supporting terrorism

In the second motion, the PPP has sought debate on statements made by former Afghan president Hamid Karzai in which he alleged that the US is supporting the militant Islamic State (IS) group in Afghanistan and supplying extremists with weapons.

The motion recognises Karzai's statements as holding "great importance" for Pakistan and adds that US support for terrorism in the region "may affect the security of Pakistan."

In his interview with foreign media, Karzai had said that he has "more than suspicions" that US bases are being used to aid the IS.

He also claimed that the terror group has been able to spread its tentacles in the country just under the nose of the US forces and the CIA.

The PPP has demanded that normal business of the House be adjourned to discuss the statements made by Mattis and Karzai.

Opinion

Editorial

Growth to stability
Updated 29 Apr, 2026

Growth to stability

THE State Bank’s decision to raise its key policy rate by 100 basis points to 11.5pc signals a shift in priorities...
Constitutional order
29 Apr, 2026

Constitutional order

FOLLOWING the passage of the 26th and 27th Amendments, in 2024 and 2025 respectively, jurists and members of the...
Protecting childhood
29 Apr, 2026

Protecting childhood

AN important victory for child protection was secured on Monday with the Punjab Assembly’s passage of the Child...
Unlearnt lessons
Updated 28 Apr, 2026

Unlearnt lessons

THE US is undoubtedly the world’s top military and economic power at this time. Yet as the Iran quagmire has ...
Solar vision?
28 Apr, 2026

Solar vision?

THE recent imposition of certain regulatory requirements for small-scale solar systems, followed by the reversal of...
Breaking malaria’s grip
28 Apr, 2026

Breaking malaria’s grip

FOR the first time in decades, defeating malaria in our lifetime is possible, according to WHO. Yet in Pakistan,...