Govt’s incompetence creating doubts over CPEC: Khursheed Shah

ISLAMABAD: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah on Monday said doubts over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project are being created due to federal government’s incompetence.

Speaking at a ceremony organised to welcome newly elected members of the National Press Club here, he said his Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) will raise the issue in the Parliament.

Shah said the western route of the CPEC project was to be completed first according to the plan given to China by the previous government of the PPP. He added that the incumbent government’s incompetence was creating doubts over the mega project.

The PPP leader said even the coalition parties besides those sitting on the opposition benches were expressing reservations on the route.

Taking a jibe at the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government of investing excessively in Punjab, he said they should invest other provinces’ money in Punjab too.

Shah said there was no objection on Rs200 billion Orange Train project. However, he questioned as to why Lowari Tunnel couldn’t be completed by investing a fraction of that amount instead.

“Such projects aren’t suited in a country that is facing issues like inflation, lack of education and health facilities for general public.”

Expressing reservations over the recent visit of Saudi foreign minister, Khursheed Shah also urged the government to take the opposition parties in confidence on the issue.