Senators on Friday presented a motion in the Upper House expressing concerns that Pakistan appears to be getting the short end of the stick in Free-Trade Agreements (FTA) struck up with Beijing as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
Senator Mian Atiq presented a motion in this regard, which also raised concerns that China was not utilising various economic concessions granted to it by Pakistan.
The senator further said Pakistan's value-added exports have not benefited under the FTA agreements and there are concerns regarding the promotion of local industry.
A debate regarding the benefits of the project to Pakistan took place in the House after the motion was presented.
Lawmakers also voiced concerns that information regarding the project was being withheld. They also asked what Balochistan stands to gain from the project.
Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani subsequently asked who in parliament was withholding requested information and summoned all records pertaining to the matter.
Benefits for Balochistan?
"China has arrived in Gwadar and almost all the business conducted in Pakistan is being undertaken by China," PML-N's Senator Kulsoom Parveen said.
"What progress has Gwadar seen under CPEC, so far?" she asked."The people of Balochistan have not gained anything from the project."
"Maybe the people of Balochistan will only be given jobs to fix punctured tires," she said.
Chiming in, Senator Azam Moosa Khel stated that "CPEC will not be successful."
"What benefits have the people of Balochistan gained from the project?" the senator asked, echoing Senator Parveen's concerns.
Transparency sought
PPP's Senator Farhatullah Babar told the Senate that the business community had sought inclusion in the formulation of agreements with China. However, they were not accommodated, he regretted.
He also called for transparency in security arrangements for CPEC, pointing out that "pieces of information regarding the project have been withheld."
"We were told that there is a long-term plan but it cannot be shared," he added.
Comments (9) Closed
There is a crying need for adequate disclosures regarding CPEC in the interest of transparency because the burden of debts is very high. Public must be informed which agency of the government was entrusted the task of studying the financial feasibility of each project coming under the CPEC umbrella knowing no investor will invest even one Dollar without a proper financial appraisal.
CPEC's success depends on the people being well informed about it and being on the same page as the government. For some reason, the government has been hiding all CPEC related plans and agreements from the public. The government even has failed to present the plans and agreements in the parliament which is the requirement of the democratic system. By adopting this approach, the government itself is becoming an obstacle in the way of the CPEC.
Toll Boys main duty is to collect toll only. Even computers will be brought from China! Wishing a great time for Pakistan's Toll Collection. But, once Fast Tags for all China Trucks is introduced that even toll boys are also may not be required.
Transparency in the flow of information between the two parties is the key in any process of project and CPEC is not an exception to it.
Not sharing the details of CPEC with the nation; it can only raise suspicions. we know as Pakistanis that our civil and military governments have made pacts and agreements, which were not in the country's best interests. Can we learn from the past mistakes? That's the question.
Anybody who has doubts on CPEC and questions it must be tried for treason. Speaking against CPEC is anti national. CPEC is a game changer that will make Pakistan a 30 trillion USD economy and the most powerful and richest country in the world.
Just TRUST Big Iron Brother to do what is BEST for Pak-China family. Our bonds are deeper than oceans and higher than Himalayas. Pak-China zindabad.
It’s funny that the most corrupt people are asking for transparency. I wonder if they ever asked Nawaz Shareef for transparency in various national and local projects conducted under his tenure.
Huh, I remember seeing many comments from fellow brothers that CPEC is game changer without mmkakmf anything - if there is anything good for common public would have been communicated long ago