Work on CPEC continues smoothly, claims Ahsan Iqbal

Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Chaudhry Ahsan Iqbal has brushed aside the rumors about any concerns of the Chinese government on the pace of implementation of China Pakistan Economic Corridor and said, the project was furthering smoothly and with required pace of work.

"We have made it a flagship project from a piece of paper just within three years. It is furthering smoothly and there are no concerns internally or by Chinese government. Both Pakistan and China are executing it with a sense of mission and legacy," he cate- gorically stated in a private news channel program. He said it is not the project of one department rather a cross-sectoral and inter-ministerial project that needed a team approach and we have addressed this issue by empowering different departments through Planning Commission instead of creating any super authority.

"Had we created authorities then the work could have not been furthering at this pace instead it could have been stalled due to internal differences," he said. Ahsan Iqbal said, China has also has no reservations on the pace of work rather they have appreciated our efficiency and commitment at every forum. Answering a question about differences between political leadership and Chinese Ambassador's meeting with Army Chief, he said, political differences have been ironed out at two All Parties Conferences.

As far as the meetings of the Chinese ambassador with Army Chief were concerned, Ahsan Iqbal said, at these meetings security issues are discussed as this task has been assigned to Pakistan Army. "Security aspect is dealt by Army while developmental aspect is looked after by the civilian leadership and they are as competent as anyone else." However, he said, if anyone would ask him about establishment of an authority, he will give his viewpoint.

Ahsan Iqbal said there are misconceptions that the money has directly landed to national kitty. But, it is not true because out of US$ 46 billion, US$ 35 billion is a private sector investment like the IPP mode and remaining US$ 11 billion is a concessional loan for infrastructure development and to be spent by the Chinese government through open bidding. He said it is for the first in last 65 years that the government exploring the treasure of Thar coal. Structures are being erected for a power house while a project of 1300 MW capacity is under construction at Port Qasim and 1320 MW project at Sahiwal shall start functioning from September next year.