Fanfare projects

We have a culture of launching projects, industries, schemes, new organisations, etc, with fanfare and celebrating expected benefits from such projects that may or may not be achieved. Nowadays, we are busy celebrating fabulous benefits to be derived from the Chinese investment of $46 billion without even knowing any relevant details. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have already aired their misgivings regarding a change in the economic corridor route without knowing the economic benefits it will provide to areas from where it will pass.
For example, the Lahore Motorway was projected and celebrated as a great source of economic progress with promises of industrial zones including the one in Rawalpindi near Chakri. What prosperity this fenced motorway has brought during the last 20 years can be asked from those who lost their fertile land and shortcuts to villages on either side of the motorway. A small percentage of traffic benefits from this motorway because the majority of people use the GT Road, inter-district roads and roads within districts that should be widened and modernised. We should welcome the Chinese investment but our local experts in various specialities should also be trusted to examine projects for useful inputs and also to learn self-reliance.
M Akram Niazi
Rawalpindi