APC calls for restoration of previous Gwadar-Kashgar corridor route

QUETTA: The Awami National Party hosted an All Parties Conference to discuss proposed changes in Gwadar-Kashgar economic corridor route.

ANP Chief Asfand Yarwali Khan chaired the APC attended by representatives of political parties, including the Pakistan People’s Party, Balochistan National Party, Hazara Democratic Party, and Pakistan Muslim League-Q, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Jamiat Ulemai-e-Islam-S, Balochistan Bar and trade bodies.

ANP Balochistan chapter president Asghar Achakzai said people of the province consider the change in Pak-China corridor route as Kala Bagh Dam and One-Unit moves which would not be allowed.

JUI-S leader Abduk Wahid Bazai said people of Balochistan were prepared to render all sorts of sacrifices for their rights. “We don’t have any agenda against any individual or a province, we only want our rights and an end to our woes,” he said.

BNP-Mengal leader and MPA Mir Hamal Kalmati said agreements with regard to Gwadar-Kashgar carry signatures of Punjab chief minister instead of Balochistan’s.

“People of Gwadar would not accept any development that benefits others rather than locals, only 2 billion rupees have been provided to Balochistan in Rs45 billion Pak-China agreements”, he added.

Addressing the APC, ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan asked whether Pakistan would not prosper if Pakhtoons and Baloch prosper. ” I wonder who would be the actual owner of Gwadar in the economic corridor,” he said.

At the end of the APC a join communiqué was issued, demanding the federal government to restore the previous route of the Corridor. The statement read people of Balochistan were the actual owners of Gwadar.