DERA GHAZI KHAN City News

People demand CPEC thru DG Khan, Rajanpur
From Hasnain Qaisrani
DERA GHAZI KHAN: Political and social circles as well as the business community of the region have demanded construction of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) via Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur for the uplift of this most neglected and backward area.
Certain circles believe Rajanpur and DG Khan with their connectivity through Dera Ismail Khan was part of the previous plan for its onward link with Sindh, Balochistan up to Gwadar during the PPP government, as the then president Asif Ali Zardari was willing for this route via Sindh.
Various area people allege that the PML-N government was attempting to divert this route from Islamabad-Mianwali-Dera Ismail Khan to Zhob, Balochistan, due to influence of a religious party’s chief, rather than its natural flow along the right bank of River Indus, which is also the shortest possible route up to Gwadar.
It is regrettable that no PML-N legislator from this area ever raised the issue in the parliament. However, an independent MNA Jamshed Dasti strongly protested at the junction of the four provinces at Puldot here on Saturday against the alleged change in the CPEC route and staged a sit-in for a couple of hours.
He said all the four provinces have equal right over the investment being made by China and vowed that he would continue struggle for the rights of masses till last.
He alleged that Khosas, Legharis and the sitting PML-N MNA were anti-public and they did not have the right to represent masses. He announced that with the help of the public they would not allow the rulers to change the route.
Earlier, he reached from Muzaffargarh through the free bus service, along with his workers. The protestors also chanted slogans against the government.