Official map shows no change in original CPEC route

ISLAMABAD: The official map of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is to be presented in the parliamentary parties’ meeting scheduled for May 13, shows no change in the original route of this multi-billion mega project, sources told The News here on Monday.
“The official map of CPEC prepared by the ministry of planning and development carries only three alignments instead of four that was later added to the project in consultation with the Chinese government,” the sources said.
The map has been sent to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who is expected to discuss it with the representatives of the political parties. The first two alignments will be completed by 2018 under short-term plan while the third will be constructed as part of the long-term plan.
“The first alignment will go through Gwadar, Panjgur, Sohrab, Kalat, Pishin, Qilla Saifullah, Zoab and Dera Ismail Khan and later to Khunjerab. The second one will connect many areas such as Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Mirpur Khas, Hyderabad and Peshawar. The third alignment will include Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Dera Bugti, Dera Murad Jamali, Khuzdar and Gwadar,” the sources said.
Chief minister of Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa (KP) Pervaiz Khattak has alleged that Dera Ismail Khan has been removed from the proposed list while Layyah, Bhakkar and Multan have been included in the proposed route.
The official map refutes this since Dera Ismail Khan is very much part of the route and the alignment in which it has been included will also be constructed under short-term plan. A Chinese official also denied any change in the route of CPEC and stated that the debate should come to an end for the fundamental interest of Pakistan.
Talking to The News, minister for planning and development Ahsan Iqbal said time would prove what the government has said so far about the route of CPEC is correct and all rumours being spread by different elements are baseless.
“I categorically say that no change has been made in the original route of CPEC and all three alignments will be constructed under short-term and long-term plans. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been closely monitoring all the work and it is his desire to complete all alignments within the shortest possible time,” he said.
The minister said he held meetings with representatives of various political parties and informed them that the government is committed to strictly following the original route of CPEC and no change would be made in this respect.
The minister said he challenged all those who were accusing the government of altering the route of CPEC to substantiate their claims with evidence but none came forward to prove their claims.