ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister Planning, Development & Reforms Ahsan Iqbal has reiterated that building of the western alignment of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the first and foremost priority of the government that will be operational by December 2016.
Balochistan province will be the biggest beneficiary of CPEC while all the other provinces and regions will also get benefit from this historic opportunity, minister stated this while briefing the officials about his visit from Gwadar to Sorab in Balochistan where 650 kms long missing link of western alignment is under construction.
He said that government's sincerity and commitment to complete the western alignment is reflected by the speedy work currently underway at the western alignment. Minister also clarified why construction of road between Gwadar and Sorab was not six lane and said there is no new six lane motorway project under construction for CPEC. CPEC plan is to improve and upgrade existing highways for fastest connectivity in the first phase, the minister added.
Commenting on Peshawar-Lahore-Karachi motorway he said that it is not a new project, it was started in 1990 by the first government of Nawaz Sharif and was supposed to be completed by 2000 but due to political situation of the country it lingered on. The minister said that Karachi-Lahore Motorway is being completed with BOT private sector investment due to passenger and cargo traffic. He said that due to financial constraint it was not possible for the government to construct Karachi-Lahore Motorway all by itself.
He said that western alignment will be dualised if traffic volume grew in future. Minister said construction of western alignment will bring a sea change in the socio-economic conditions of these far-flung areas of country. Enemies of the project are spreading baseless speculations that the construction of two lane road for western alignment is deviation from earlier commitment, he maintained adding that inside China, there is also a similar two lane road from Khunjrab to Kashghar.
He pointed out that Gawadar will be connected to Khunjrab through multiple routes as Gwadar port will serve different markets and destinations. Route 1 Gwadar- Quetta-Zhob-DIKhan-Islamabad to Khunjrab, Route 2 Gwadar-Sukkur-Indus Highway to Khunjrab, Route 3 Gwadar-Sukkur-Karachi Peshawar Motorway to Khunjrab.
Minister said that government is committed to ensure united and strong Pakistan through shared prosperity and inclusive development. In the same spirit CPEC will bring dividends to all the provinces and regions of Pakistan.