Only Multan-Sukkur motorway being built under CPEC, Senate body told

ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Communications was informed on Friday that under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) work was being carried out on only one project i.e. Multan–Sukkur Motorway.

The committee meeting was chaired by Senator Daud Achakzai. He said that every matter about the CPEC was being handled by the federal government itself, and no details were made public. And when the details of projects are sought, we are told that it’s an agreement between two countries. He said that the standing committee will keep raising its voice for equal rights for the smaller provinces.

He said that it was mind boggling to think about mass transit trains and other dream projects in a place where there is no drinking water and health, education and other basic facilities.

National Highway Authority Chairman Shahid Ashraf Tarar told the meeting that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has assured that the Lyari Expressway issue would be resolved very soon.

Karachi’s stalled Lyari Expressway project would be completed by August and its inauguration would be done on August 14. Senator Nighat Mirza had pointed out that in Karachi traffic congestion had become a serious issue and stressed for remedial measures. Senator Sajid Turi said that due to unusual delay, the cost of the project has escalated manifold. Tarar said that western route of the CPEC would become functional by next year.

About Hakla-DI Khan Motorway, he said that it was divided into five sections and work on all the sections was going smoothly. He told the committee that China was funding the Thakot-Havelian highway while the Multan–Sukkur Motorway was a mutual project.  Tarar further said that Khuzdar-Rattodero section would be opened for traffic by July. He said that Takhtbhai flyover has been opened for traffic.

Chairman of the committee Daud Achakzai said that the committee was satisfied with the NHA’s performance but claimed that on the western route of CPEC, work was continued only what he called common route.