Pak, China CPEC fact sheets are the same

As per the normal tradition in some socio-political circles of the country, the fact sheets issued for public awareness are taken sceptically even though they may be carrying actual facts.
As for the fact sheet on the CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) obtained from Government of Pakistan’s record, it appears to be based on certain facts. This impression about its veracity is formed since the points raised in this fact sheet reconcile considerably with China’s official version on the CPEC that was published in these lines some time back.
The Chinese diplomatic and official circles, during those days, publicly rebutted the negative propaganda against the rumoured re-alignment of the CPEC and as regards the question raised by certain elements against start of work from Punjab, the experts from both Pakistan and China had clarified that it has been done to save both time and money.
Elaborating this point as to how time and money would be saved, the experts have opined that Punjab is more developed and it already has a functioning network of roads and railways which merely need to be modernised instead of being built anew but there would be no change in the Corridor route as a clear decision has already been taken at a conference, attended by all political parties.
In fact, the uproar being raised is based on a misreading of the situation on the ground and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government of KP is unnecessarily politicising this project in a continuity of its usual anti-PML-N rhetoric.
There is, therefore, no reason to think that the federal government is having any malicious intent on this count. Such designs on the part of the federal government are not at all evident in any form and the east-west divide is imagined in this case. The CPEC will be completed after a period of years and work will commence on the western route in due course, say the authorities with an air of authenticity. According to the Pakistani government and

Chinese official sources, the CPEC has to be developed in phases since it is a huge and complex project and the fact that the eastern route is being developed on a priority basis is a simple case of efficiency and expediency.
As for premature assertions and the mantra of ‘ignoring certain provinces or areas’, it is counterproductive to country’s prosperity because it is not responsible conduct to compromise the progress of such a gigantic project simply because of inter-party bickering particularly when such a project is going to pass through all the provinces, as already re-affirmed by none other than the Chinese authorities.
It is in this regard, yet another clarification has come from official circles including the PM Office, to reassure the people of Pakistan that no change has been made in the route. According to the same clarification, several routes and alignments have been identified, of which the one that could be immediately put into operation by using the existing infrastructure is being opened up first, in mutual consultation with the Chinese side. The good news for the KP and Balochistan in this context is that due to this big development, it will make a positive impact on the social fabric of these two provinces, when the project starts in the tribal, underdeveloped and poorly policed areas lying in the western part of the Indus Valley. It is also a chance for the government to reduce unemployment and deprivation of the Baloch and Pashtun people by laying the CPEC on a route that benefits Balochistan and KP.
China’s friendly role in this project is highly appreciable particularly in giving due recognition to this Pakistani plan. The fact is that Pakistan has been emphasising on significance and practicability of this project since 2002. China, however, had its own priorities and took some time in analysing it.
The new Chinese leadership, however, considered this Pakistani proposal practical as well as beneficial for its economic benefits. During the Pakistan visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, the latter supported this Pakistani proposal and gave the go-ahead signal.
Even the recent visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to China was successful as both countries signed 19 agreements on mega projects relating to electricity generation. These projects include the 330 MW Thar coal-fired power plant, Suki-Kinari hydropower project, the 660 MW Muzaffargarh coal-fired power project, 660 MW coal-fired power project at Qadirabad, district Sahiwal, a 99 MW UEP power project and the 900 MW Quaid-i-Azam solar power station projects. The total investment coming from China amounts to $46 billion out of which more than $30 billion would be invested in energy projects.
This huge Chinese investment should not be simplistically perceived as some commercial deal. It is rather a gift of sincerity from China to the people of Pakistan. And it is in acknowledgement of proven sincerity of Chinese friends that PM Nawaz Sharif has declared relations with China as the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign Policy.