July 03, 2015
News
Inclusive development top priority of govt, says Ahsan Iqbal
* CPEC will benefit all provinces of country and strengthen federation through equal development
APPISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday said that ensuring united and strong Pakistan through shared prosperity and inclusive development is the top priority of the government.
“The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will bring dividends to all the provinces and regions of the country, and would strengthen the federation through equal development,” he said while briefing a meeting of special committee on CPEC, chaired by Senator Taj Haider.
Ahsan said Balochistan province would be the biggest beneficiary of the CPEC while all other provinces and regions would also benefit from this historic opportunity. He said the construction of western alignment would bring a sea change in the socioeconomic conditions of these far-flung areas of country. He added that the government is committed in ensuring socioeconomic development of the Gwadar region and funds have been allocated for a university and educational institutions to enhance the living standard of the local community.
He pointed out that Gwadar would be connected to Khunjrab through multiple routes as the port would serve different markets and destinations across the region. He said that the western alignment of the CPEC is the first and foremost priority of the government, which would be operational by December 2016. Three different routes include: route 1 from Gwadar-Quetta-Zhob-DI Khan-Islamabad to Khunjrab; route 2 from Gwadar-Sukkur-Indus Highway to Khunjrab; and route 3 from Gwadar-Sukkur-Karachi Peshawar Motorway to Khunjrab.
The minister said the construction of the road along the western route is a challenging task due to the difficult terrain but the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) is doing a commendable job by carrying out speedy work on the project. He said that the CPEC aims to improve and upgrade the existing highways for fastest connectivity in the first phase and now new motorways and new projects of roads would be initiated in this regard. He said the government would implement the consensus developed in the All Parties’ Conference (APC) in letter and spirit.
Meanwhile, Committee Chairman Senator Taj Haider said that the under-developed areas should be given priority in the CPEC project for the economic uplift of the people of these areas. “We need to watch our interest and initiate the projects for the benefit of the remote regions and provide opportunity to the people belonging to these areas,” he added. He endorsed the question by Senator Farhatullah Babar seeking explanation about the allocation for the western alignment and more funding in future. Later the committee adjourned the proceedings for next meeting.
The meeting was attended by Senator Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Farhatullah Babar, Muhammad Talha Mehmood, Chaudhary Tanvir Ahmad Khan, Nehal Hashmi, Karim Ahmad Khawaja, Mir Kabir Ahmad, Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar, Dr Jehnazaib Jamaldini, Nawabzada Saifullah Magsi, Hidayatullah, Saeedul Hassab Mandokhail, Muhammad Daud Khan Achakzai and Ministry of Planning and Reforms Secretary Salman Tarar.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk