KP CM asks federal government to make CPEC accord documents public

Says he has barred Ahsan Iqbal from briefing MPAs

NOWSHERA: Chief Minister Pervez Khattak on Sunday asked the federal government to present the agreement on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to the federating units to resolve the issue.

Speaking at a public rally in Nowshera Payan, Pervez Khattak said that he had barred Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal from briefing the provincial assembly lawmakers.

“We should not be told stories. If he is serious in addressing our reservations, he should show us the agreements,” Pervez Khattak said.

He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should fulfill the promises made at the All Parties Conference, adding he could no more trust the federal government’s verbal assurances.

The chief minister said that his government was not against any federating unit but wanted the rights for his own province.

Talking about the planned protest in Islamabad on October 30, he said the protest rally in the federal government was not meant to create any inconvenience for the masses but to make the rulers accountable to the masses for their alleged wrongdoings.

Coming down hard on the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership for distancing from the sit-in protest in Islamabad, he said that PPP leadership proved the loyalty to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

He accused the government of the leaking the sensitive information of a meeting with the army leadership to the media. “This is an attempt to discredit security forces of the country which is a worst form of treason,” he added.

The chief minister was critical of former chief minister and Awami National Party provincial chief, Amir Haider Hoti, who said recently that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was facing a financial crisis. He insisted the Khyber Pakhtunwha government was not facing any shortage of funds.

Talking of provincial government efforts for delegating powers at the grassroots level and empowering the local government representatives, Pervez Khattak said the provincial government released Rs 25 billion funds to the LG system in the first year.

“Rs30 billion amount has been given to the LG reps this year to complete development schemes in the province,” he explained.

The chief minister said the PTI-led provincial allocate record Rs115 billion amount in the annual development plan. It used to be Rs75 billion in the past, he pointed out.

Pervez Khattak said the provincial government took up the hydel power royalty issue with the federal government and achieved a big  success. 

“There has been an agreement of Rs 108 billion with the Centre on this. We have received Rs 25 billion so far. The province will get the remaining amount in three installments,” he elaborated. The chief minister said the federal government had included gas supply scheme, a road from Peshawar to Dera Ismail Khan, laying a railway track and Chashma Right Bank Lift Canal projects in the federal budget.