GWADAR: The Parliamentary Committee on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), at a meeting here on Tuesday, reviewed pace of work on development projects launched under the CPEC in the port city and other areas.

The meeting expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of work on the development projects and performance of the organisations concerned. It underlined the need for accelerating pace of work to ensure timely completion of the projects.

National Assembly member from Gwadar-Lasbela Aslam Bhootani, who had invited the committee to visit Gwadar for reviewing the development projects, security situation and other affairs of the port city, told the panel about huge losses fishermen had suffered during recent strong winds and high tide that destroyed their fishing vessels. He pointed out that high tide had caused massive damage due to delay in constructing breakwaters in Gwadar and Peshkan areas.

Senator Mir Kabir Mohammad Shahi, Senator Kuhda Babar and MPA Mir Hamal Kalmati briefed the meeting on the issues faced by the fishermen of Gwadar and other coastal towns of the district, particularly their reservations over delay in completing Eastbay Expressway and protection of their livelihood.

The committee directed the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) chairman to provide information about the progress on the project to the committee on monthly bases.

The GPA chairman, director general of Gwadar Development Authority, deputy commissioner of Gwadar and other officials briefed the committee on progress on the development projects.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2020