Any change in Economic Corridor route opposed

PESHAWAR: The Pakh-tunkhwa Ulasi Tehreek has taken serious notice of the federal government’s proposed plan to divert Pak-China Economic Corridor route and constituted a committee to take up the issue with Senate chairman and Chinese government.
“We know the federal government has dropped the old plan to replace it with the new route, which goes across Punjab. And the underdeveloped provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have been ignored,” said one of the speakers while addressing a daylong conference on the proposed diversion of the old route. The conference was organised by Pakhtunkhwa Ulasi Tehreek and activists of civil society.
Central general secretary of Awami National Party (ANP) Mian Iftikhar Hussain, leader of Pakhtunkhwa Ulasi Tehreek Dr Said Alam Mahsud, president of Awami Workers Party Fanoos Gujjar, general secretary of the National Party Nazeef Lala, PTI MPA Farzana Zain, activist of Pakhtunkhwa Ulasi Tehreek Taimoor Kamal, lawyers’ representative Barrister Hashim Raza, chairman of Voice of Traders Malak Fazal Ilahi and KPCCI President Fuad Ishaq spoke on the occasion.
Said Alam Mahsud said that the federal government was trying to divert the route on the pretext of law and order situation but they would not accept this justification as no-one can guarantee peace in any part of the country.
They added that Pakhtunkhwa Ulasi Tehreek may go to any extent for the cause of their rights as it is a serious issue of the future of their next generation.Mian Iftikhar said the federal government should not disappoint the people of this province. “We will oppose all such moves against the interest of the province,” he added.
Fanoos Gujjar said that they were well-aware of the development and preparation of P&D Department, adding that a prequalification announcement had also been released for expression of interest in which they have mentioned that Lahore-Karachi Motorway is part of Pak-China Economic Corridor.
He suggested the PTI government to raise the issue on the floor of the assembly.He urged PTI chief Imran Khan and Chief Minister Pervez Khattak to break their silence on the matter of national interest.