Senate body calls for early completion of CPEC projects in Balochistan

Senate body calls for early completion of CPEC projects in Balochistan.

The Special Committee on the Project of China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) on Friday discussed CPEC Projects in Balochistan.

Senate body calls for early completion of CPEC projects

Besides, it directed the concerned authorities to complete all the ongoing projects on priority.

The Committee showed concern regarding delay in projects and stressed the need for maintaining timelines if progress is to be made.

The meeting also considered and adopted the second interim report and the final report of the committee on CPEC.

Senator Sikander Mandhro convened the meeting. Those attended included: by Senator Nuzhat Sadiq, Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar, Senator Muhammad Akram, Senator Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, Senator Mir Kabeer Ahmed Muhammad Shahi, Senator Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar.

Moreover, senior officers of the Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives (PD&SI) & Board of Investment (BOI) and all concerned also attended.

While discussing recommendations made in previous meetings; the committee took strong note of delayed responses from the ministries and departments.

Main reason for slow progress

Meanwhile, it also pointed out overlapping responsibilities; which was recognized as the main reason for slow progress of projects.

The committee also deliberated over the briefing made by the ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives regarding CPEC Projects in Balochistan.

Officials concerned informed about completion of four socio-economic projects so far.

Those included the Gwadar Smart City Master Plan, HUBCO Coal Power project, Surab-Hoshab Highway and Hoshab-Gwadar Motorway.

The Committee while discussing details of these projects showed grave concern regarding the Surab- Hoshab Highway.

During the meeting, the lamented the road had already collapsed. They noted roads incredibly unfit for heavy vehicles.

About the Hoshab- Gwadar Motorway; the committee questioned NHA for its discretion and said it was not a motorway and that the committee was being misled.

Use of indigenous raw material emphasized

The committee also reviewed the HUBCO Coal Power Project.

However, it noted that in most cases such installations are designed to use imported raw material.

It asserted for the modifications as a must to make sure use of indigenous raw material that would conserve foreign exchange, essential for economic stability.

The Committee rejected the idea of barricading Gwadar, while noting it a ploy to dislocate the local population.

It also objected to the bifurcation of Balochistan on the basis of North and South.

Ongoing projects came under discussion included: the New Gwadar International Airport and Eastbay Expressway.

Besides, ML-4 Railway Project from Gwadar to Sukkur via Basima and Fresh Water Supply and Treatment Plants also came under discussion.

Furthermore, they termed development of ML-4, a strategy to cut off Gwadar from the rest of Balochistan.

The committee showed immense dissatisfaction with the management of the projects and the briefing form the Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives.

However, the Convener also showed displeasure due to non-availability of the senior officers of the Ministry and the concerned departments.

Therefore, the committee took serious notice and decided to defer the remaining agenda item.

Senate committee deferred the agenda calling it a waste of time because of aforesaid absence.

GTV