CPEC - Boon or Bane for Pakistan, By Hanan Zaffar

CPEC - Boon or Bane for Pakistan, By Hanan Zaffar

The Diplomat    November 16, 2016

A look at the hopes and fears surrounding the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a massive $46 billion bilateral developmental project between Pakistan and China, is supposed to be a “game changer” in the geopolitics of South Asia. This economic corridor aims to connect Kashgar in the northwestern Chinese province of Xinjiang with Pakistan’s Gwadar port in Balochistan through a vast and complex network of roads measuring 3,000 km as well as other infrastructure projects. On paper the CPEC, intended to be completed by 2030, is a win-win for both countries. China will save millions of dollars every year by shortening its route for energy imports from the Middle East by about 12,000 km and also gets greater access to the Indian Ocean. On the other hand, Pakistan expects infrastructural enhancement and the reduction, or even elimination, of its severe energy crisis by getting in return an estimated $34 billion for various hydro, solar, thermal, and wind-driven power plants.

The keenness of Iran, Russia, and Saudi Arabia to be a part of CPEC in the future has added to the mystique of the already highly hyped economic corridor. Astonishingly, the least-publicized aspect of the agreement is a deal for eight submarines to be supplied by China to Pakistan, which considerably elevates Pakistan’s naval military strength.

Chinese interests in Pakistan are not only economically driven. A fully operational Gwadar port not only provides China with lucrative commercial benefits but also huge strategic and geopolitical advantages. Although at present Gwadar is being developed for commercial purposes only, there are huge chances for it to develop into a well-equipped military naval base in the future, which would provide China an enormous strategic advantage in the region. As Pakistan is currently suffering from the worst kind of extremism, terrorism, and rampant corruption, it not only intends to benefit economically from the project but also improve its world image under the patronage of China.

However, Pakistan must balance the expected benefits of CPEC with the potential negative outcomes.

CPEC Gains

Economic and Infrastructural Enhancement

CPEC offers Pakistan an excellent opportunity to upgrade the basic infrastructure of all provinces as the corridor essentially passes through the whole of Pakistan. New roads, highways, railways, airports, and seaports are to be built and developed according to the blueprint of this ambitious project. Provinces like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which lag far behind Punjab in terms of development, are expected to get an infrastructural boost. In addition, a fully functional corridor promises huge employment opportunities to all sections of society. Proposed Chinese investments are supposed to increase Pakistan’s $274 billion GDP by over 15 percent.

Overcoming the Energy Crisis

Pakistan’s stagnant economy has been a direct corollary of the endemic energy crisis. The country badly fails to meet its energy demands and this long unsolved problem shaves about 2 percent off GDP. Keeping this in view, CPEC will see different power projects totaling 10,500 MW completed on a fast-track basis through 2018. The energy aspect has been termed the biggest breakthrough of the project. In one plan of particular note, 10 projects of 6,600 MW are to be developed in the Thar desert, which has the potential to transform this highly remote area into Pakistan’s energy capital.

Freedom From Over-reliance on the United States

Pakistan’s over-reliance on the United States for strategic and financial purpose has not served the country well. Despite being a close ally, Pakistan’s relationship with the United States has hardly been what can be termed as “cordial.” The general public in Pakistan feels betrayed by the chameleon attitude Washington has shown toward them. The views are shared among political circles too. CPEC provides Pakistan an opportunity to work closely with seemingly a more reliable friend, China, independent of Western influence.

CPEC Risks

However, despite the fact that CPEC provides Pakistan a huge economic opening, there are apprehensions regarding the efficiency and economic  feasibility of the project. Moreover Pakistan faces various internal and external political challenges which may hamper the progress of CPEC.

Threat to Sovereignty?

Strangely, the most ignored aspect of the CPEC is the presence of thousands of Chinese security personnel  in Pakistan, which have been deployed to provide security to Chinese workers, officials, and engineers (in addition to the security provided by Pakistan). The presence of foreign soldiers in such huge numbers should be a cause of concern for the Pakistani establishment, keeping in mind the alleged neo-imperialistic endeavors of China, especially in Afghanistan. Furthermore many in Pakistan worry about the project being used by China to exploit Pakistan’s vast natural resources, especially in Balochistan, in the guise of developmental assistance.

Balochistan Insurgency and Internal Conflicts.

Gwadar port in Balochistan holds the key to the success of the corridor and Pakistan’s ambition of becoming an economic stalwart in the region. However, increasing calls in Balochistan for a separate state and the ensuing armed conflict pose an enormous challenge to the corridor. Baloch nationalists oppose CPEC, as it could potentially turn the demographic balance of the region against them. Many people from other provinces of Pakistan could move to Balochistan and settle there, if the corridor does become a success. Various Baloch rebel groups have already attacked Chinese engineers and officials working on different CPEC projects.

Many banned terrorist organizations also pose a threat to the project as they seek ways to settle scores with the Pakistani state. Plus, numerous political organizations from provinces like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh have voiced concerns over changing the original plan of the corridor, which allegedly diverts the economic benefits to Punjab province only. To add to the woes, Pakistan’s strong military establishment also feels that it has a little say in the project.

Indian Concerns

Ceaseless bad blood between India and Pakistan has led to the ever-present sense of precariousness and instability in the entire region. As the corridor passes through Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, which India claims to be its own integral and indispensable territory, illegally held by Pakistan, New Delhi has openly opposed CPEC. Pakistan has continuously accused India of conspiring to disrupt the project by fueling the Baloch insurgency, a claim vehemently contested by Indian state. Unhealthy Indo-Pak relations cast shadows over the prospects of a peaceful and stable South Asia.

A prosperous South Asia is possible only if both these militarily powerful countries shun their ugly, stagnant political positions and work closely with each other. CPEC being transformed into ICPEC by connecting it with Indian Punjab may be the first step in this direction. However, this seems a mere fantasy in the present context.

Hanan Zaffar is assistant editor with weekly Heaven Times and a citizen journalist with Daily Uqaab. Currently pursuing B.tech from National Institute of Technology Srinagar, he has written extensively on the Kashmir conflict, social issues, and sports.

http://thediplomat.com/2016/11/cpec-boon-or-bane-for-pakistan/

Has CPEC now kicked off? KHURRAM HUSAIN

Has CPEC now kicked off? KHURRAM HUSAIN 

NOW that a couple of hundred containers have been loaded onto two vessels at Gwadar port and dispatched to various destinations around the world, can we say that CPEC is up and running? The short answer is no. The long answer is not yet.

The convoy that brought the containers to Gwadar, and the ceremonial send-off at the port with the usual unveiling of plaques, was not a commercial endeavour. It was a forced push, mostly led by the FWO whose DG said he did it to help dampen some of the “despondency” that was beginning to surround the project. Fair enough, the despondency was indeed addressed and a point was indeed made that the roads and the port infrastructure exists to handle this volume of cargo.

But to get an idea of what it took to make it possible, consider a few details. First, the Chinese were apprehensive, feeling that it is not yet commercially viable, and the government too felt it was a little premature to undertake such a task. The Chinese actually aired their apprehensions briefly when Yuan Jianmen, the executive from Sinotrans, the company that arranged the convoy of goods from the Chinese side, said that “there is still much work to do, especially in certain regions” where people still need to be persuaded of the benefits that CPEC will bring for them.

Next the Chinese raised the point that there are not enough containers available on their side of the border for export shipment from Pakistan, since most of them are booked already, so a special consignment had to be arranged to go to China carrying Pakistani goods just so containers for the return journey would be available over there. The services of a businessman from Gilgit were utilised for the purpose of arranging this consignment of goods.

The convoy of trucks itself had a security escort involving more than a hundred personnel, and as many vehicles as there were trucks. In addition, there was helicopter protection throughout the journey, as well as drone surveillance from above. The convoy took more than two weeks to reach Gwadar, so stops had to be arranged for such a large number of trucks, which required sleeping arrangements, food and parking space. In some locations, even R&R (if you get my drift) had to be arranged for the drivers to incentivise them to take the less trodden path west of the Indus river.

From Quetta to Gwadar alone, the journey took four nights, with the fifth being in Gwadar. The route is barren and empty except for two small towns along the way (Panjgur and Turbat), with no maintenance facilities for vehicular traffic, no place to get food for the drivers, and no place to spend the night. The FWO actually arranged for proper ‘harbours’ for the trucks in four locations along the N85 highway using Alaska tents for sleeping and food brought from outside. It was quite a logistical feat if you can imagine the amount of space that number of trucks takes up, and that the size of the personnel travelling was in the hundreds (including security detail).

Clearly the roads are there for trucks to travel on, but it is not yet viable for commercial traffic to ply these roads to access Gwadar port. Add to this the distance. According to one person (a commercial party) that was involved in the arrangements, the western route taken by the trucks will never be viable for cargoes originating in Lahore or south of Lahore. That means it’s only viable for cargoes originating in KP, upper Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan or China. Considering most of Pakistan’s export base is located around Lahore and south of Lahore, this means the route will only be commercially viable for a small number of Pakistani producers, or for the Chinese, who continue to harbour strong apprehensions on security as well as the costs of utilising the western route.

Of course none of this means that the road network should never have been built. It should be built. In time, it has to be expanded from the current two lane alignment to six lanes. The Karakoram Highway took almost three decades before it began to grow into a large commercial artery, and that process still has a long way to go before it reaches full bloom.

That is the point here. The roads being built under the CPEC connectivity projects are a long-term proposition. It will be a couple of decades before they become arteries for major commercial traffic, but when that begins to happen, it will definitely be a ‘game changer’ for Pakistan. Some unscrupulous real estate agents are already beginning to cash in on the headlines and trying to sell Gwadar property under the pretext that “trade has now begun, prices there are about to skyrocket”. Don’t fall for this line! Trade has not started at Gwadar yet.

At this point, it is important to start thinking of ways to literally push cargoes towards Gwadar, provided its cargo handling is reliable enough. So here is a suggestion. A large number of containers leave Pakistan every year completely empty because we have a trade deficit with the outside world, and since more is imported than exported, containers naturally tend to accumulate within the country. Empty containers are routinely shipped out of the country, and their transport and insurance costs are lower. In fact, almost half of the containers that went out of Gwadar port as part of this exercise were empty. Is it possible to make a rule that all empty containers must be shipped out of Gwadar from now on? This will help de-clog Karachi’s two ports, and push traffic towards Gwadar.

In any case, the exercise was a successful demonstration of the infrastructure built so far, but it will be many years before real commercial traffic begins to flow along it.

The writer is a member of staff.

khurram.husain@gmail.com

Twitter: @khurramhusain

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2016

CPEC Will India Start War With Pakistan And China Over It? By Polina Tikhonova

CPEC Will India Start War With Pakistan And China Over It?

By Polina Tikhonova November 17, 2016

With China and Pakistan actively working on the CPEC, the uptick of irresponsible propaganda pieces coming from politicians and analysts – originating mostly from India – shows no sign of stopping.

India, Pakistan’s traditional rival, has a number of issues with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is seen as a game-changer for Pakistan, China and Asia as a whole. China and Pakistan’s cooperation on the project has sparked numerous propaganda pieces throwing mud at the CPEC.

China’s embassy in Islamabad has already slammed the rise of propaganda pieces directed at thwarting the CPEC, calling the situation “really shameful.” As Beijing and Islamabad make huge progress on the CPEC, their close cooperation continues proving anti-CPEC analysts wrong.

The CPEC is a 3,000-kilometer network of roads, railways and pipelines that connects Kashgar and Gwadar, passing through Pakistani regions disputed by India. India and Pakistan claim Kashmir as their own territory and have already waged three wars over it. While the recently re-ignited tensions over the region result in casualties almost every day despite the ceasefire, some experts believe that India’s grievances over the CPEC might lead to a direct military confrontation.

Anti-CPEC propaganda pieces are wrong

Panos Mourdoukoutas, a contributor for Forbes, believes that the anti-CPEC propaganda is wrong. Mourdoukoutas argues that China has to either appease India or “forget” about the CPEC project.

A number of Indian government officials have expressed their concerns about the CPEC since the project was announced more than three years ago. And while India, as alleged by Pakistan, has made numerous attempts to disrupt the project, the chances that India might actually start a war with China and Pakistan over the project remain zero.

In fact, former Indian Ambassador Melkulangara Bhadrakumar said India would “lose heavily” if it remained opposed and isolated from the CPEC. However, numerous Indian government officials believe the CPEC is designed to undermine India’s position in the region and see the project as a threat to India’s interests.

While that creates tensions between China and Pakistan on one side and India on the other, authors of anti-CPEC propaganda pieces seem unable to provide at least one legitimate reason as to why India would go to war with China and Pakistan over the project.

China will protect the CPEC at all costs, as the project is worth a whopping $46 billion and is a game-changer for both China and Pakistan. Disrupting the project would mean a direct declaration of war to China and Pakistan, and India knows it.

This past summer, the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations suggested that Beijing will have “to get involved” if New Delhi attempts to disrupt the project.

China is more attractive to investors than India

In his piece arguing that China is lagging behind India in terms of investments, Mourdoukoutas provides data that suggests India’s economic growth is set to outpace China. Although India currently enjoys the rise of its economy, the country is becoming less attractive for investors in the long run. The reason is because India is a “highly crowded trade,” as said by Herald van der Linde, head of Asia Pacific equity strategy for HSBC’s Asia Equity Insights Quarterly.

“High fund holdings, premium valuations and slow pace of reforms make us reluctant to enter the market,” van der Linde wrote, adding that India’s earnings growth expectations are also slowing down.

Will India go to war with China and Pakistan over the CPEC?

In his article, Mourdoukoutas also suggests, “If pro-Indian forces in Pakistan sabotage China’s CPEC route,” China should expect an open confrontation against India.

Mourdoukoutas also argues that this is why Beijing “should either appease New Delhi or forget about CPEC altogether.”

An open military confrontation between the world’s two most populous countries is very unlikely, especially considering the fact that India has already made several large-scale attempts to sabotage the CPEC. Earlier this year, Pakistan alleged it had arrested a spy from India’s RAW, Kulbhushan Yadav. Islamabad believes that Yadav is responsible for hindering the implementation of CPEC projects in Pakistan’s Balochistan province.

The scandal spurred numerous high-ranking Pakistani officials to criticize India for its attempts to disrupt the CPEC via espionage. In April, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif openly accused India’s primary foreign intelligence agency – RAW – of attempting to disrupt the implementation of various CPEC projects.

International players keen on investing in Pakistan

India has no hard evidence that would suggest the CPEC is a direct threat to it. New Delhi wouldn’t get involved in a military confrontation over nothing. And while India indeed has a lot to lose if it remains isolated from the project, New Delhi wouldn’t get involved in the project as a matter of principle, as India has territorial disputes with both China and Pakistan, the co-creators of the lucrative project.

Although the project is still underway, Pakistan is already becoming a place of high interest for investment opportunities. Several countries, including Afghanistan, Russia and Kazakhstan, are taking interest in investing in the CPEC.

On Thursday, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif invited Turkish investors to benefit from the CPEC during a Pak-Turk roundtable conference in Islamabad with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey and Pakistan are strengthening their economic ties, which is why if Turkey invests in the CPEC, it would further expand their economic relations and be beneficial for both countries.

France is also taking a huge interest in Pakistan. The embassy head of France’s Regional Economic Department for India and South Asia, Jean Marc Fenet, recently said that France views Pakistan as a huge market for business.

CPEC enables China to monitor Indian and American naval activities

There’s also a widespread theory which suggests that thanks to the CPEC, the Gwadar seaport could turn into China’s naval base in the Indian Ocean. Thus, China would be able to monitor Indian and U.S. naval activities, which Beijing perceives as a threat to its interests.

There are a number of other benefits for China as well. Access to the Indian Ocean would also enable China’s naval warships and merchant ships to bypass Malacca Strait. Thus, China would be able to, once and for all, solve its Malacca Dilemma. Today about 80% of all oil from China is transported by ships from the Strait of Malacca to Shanghai.

The distance between the two destinations amounts to over 16,000 km, while it takes ships two to three months to reach the destination. Having access to the Indian Ocean via Gwadar would reduce that distance to less than 5,000 km.

The CPEC, which will link China with nearly half of the world’s population, will also ensure safe passage of China’s shipments through the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.

Pakistan also has a lot to gain from the project, as it’ll finally all ease its energy shortages. The project will also bring greater cohesion in South Asia.

http://www.valuewalk.com/2016/11/cpec-india-vs-pakistan-china/

My struggle has not ended, Dr Shabir Choudhry

My struggle has not ended, Dr Shabir Choudhry

London   18 November 2016 

As a result of my resignation from basic membership of Kashmir National Party, some people were surprised; others were stunned and shocked. Some said it was an end of KNP; others said it was an end of Dr Shabir Choudhry’s struggle. 

Both above views are wrong. Political parties do not rely on one person, no matter how important. In any case, a political party or its survival is not an end itself. Political party is only a vehicle that helps to advance a cause and promote policies to reach out to the targeted communities. 

When a journey is hazard free and roads are plane, wide and metalled, one can travel even in a small saloon car with an old engine. However, when the journey is hazardous, and terrain is hilly and mountainous with twists and turns; and road is a mud track, a wise driver will not travel in the old saloon car because it will soon heat up and won’t be able to put up with the demands of the journey.

I helped to set up KNP. It was like my baby. In the past I helped to set up JKLF in 1977. When we realised that the vehicle was going in wrong direction, I and my colleagues first cautioned the driver, but when he continued his journey in the wrong direction we challenged his wisdom and strategy. His excuses and strategy was unconvincing even to his close colleagues; however, unlike us, they decided to continue to follow him with eyes firmly closed and ideology marginalised and compromised.

We jumped off the vehicle because our ideology and struggle for united and independent Jammu and Kashmir with secular ideals was hijacked in 1990. I jumped off the vehicle again because I did not want to create any problems for my colleagues and the KNP. I knew the party lacked strength and will to face the coming storm. In any case, just like other nationalists, apart from UKPNP, they probably thought it was Dr Shabir Choudhry’s war and not an issue that directly affected them. 

Compromise I could have made

Perhaps these colleagues did not fully comprehend the implications of blocking of NADRA card of a citizen of Jammu and Kashmir. For me it was a matter of principle, and if forces of occupation and oppression were not stopped then they will target other people they don’t like. It was very easy for me to remain a good ‘nationalist’, and accept their conditions which they offered as a way out of this quagmire. 

I was told to keep wearing a ‘nationalist hat’ like other nationalist Kashmiri leaders are wearing, provided I:

(1)              Stop Speakers Corner programme;

(2)              Stop writing against Pakistan’s Kashmir policy;

(3)              Apologise for the past damage caused to the Pakistan’s interests; and

(4)              Promise to be a good boy in future.

I was told after this ‘agreement’ everything will be fine. I bluntly rejected it, and told them to do what they want; and I will do what I feel is appropriate for the struggle of united and independent Jammu and Kashmir with liberal and secular society.

Furthermore, people should know that what Pakistan has done is a clear violation of Pakistan’s obligations under the UN Security Council’s Resolution on Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan’s this act is clear abuse of many fundamental human rights of citizens, which include a right to travel, right to assemble, right of expression, right to meet relatives and friends, right to bank, right to buy and sell etc.

Human Rights abuses and legal obligations

When a Kashmiri leader from Srinagar is restricted to his house for ‘security reasons’, it becomes international news, and people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially people of so called Azad Kashmir cry out that so and so is unable to offer prayers in Masjid because of ‘Hindu occupation’. When there are no restrictions on his movements, he might not even care to go near Masjid.

However, when in Muslim Pakistan Masjids and houses are destroyed; human rights are abused within Pakistan and in occupied territories, State Subject Laws are violated, sedition charges are levelled, NADRA cards are cancelled not a single soul from the IOK will speak on these very serious issues. They and political activists of POK will make strenuous efforts to divert attention to ‘what Hindu India is doing to Muslims in Kashmir’.

According to the UN Resolutions on Kashmir it is the prime responsibility of Pakistan to provide passport and all necessary documents to those Kashmiris who are living under its administration. Apart from violation of much talked about UN Resolutions; Pakistan is also guilty of violating article 13 and 15 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 13 states:

(1)              Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.

(2)              Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

Article 15 states:

(1)              Everyone has the right to a nationality.

(2)              No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.

I agree India is also violating its obligations assumed under the Provisional accession; and obligations assumed under the UN Security Council Resolutions. I strongly condemn all human rights abuses taking place inside Jammu and Kashmir under the Indian control. Will those, presented as Kashmiri patriots and leaders condemn human rights abuses committed by Muslim Pakistan? Or are they ‘programmed’ to churn out anti India slogans, even when Pakistan is guilty? This double standard in name of Kashmiri nationalism and Kashmiri struggle cannot and must not continue, as people have right to know who is doing what in name of ‘Kashmiri struggle’.

Rumour has it that if I had remained in KNP it was probable that, in frustration, the dark forces that eliminated Arif Shahid and many other stalwarts could have eliminated some of my colleagues; or hurt them or their families. One can expect anything from them. They can stoop low beyond human perception. 

Apart from that they can do what they did to MQM. Powerful and popular MQM could not stand the wrath of the Pakistani establishment; and now MQM is in tatters. They could have established KNP Azad Kashmir with no links with London.

I did not want any of my colleagues get hurt, or put on a trial. Also I did not want disintegration of the KNP, a party I worked extremely hard to set up. I did not want people to say that because of my selfish attitude the party suffered a split or colleagues lost their lives, hence my resignation.

However, it is unfortunate for the forces of occupation because after my resignation the KNP will survive, and continue its mission. Furthermore, after leaving the KNP, my struggle against evil forces of darkness, and oppression will continue with new vigour, new determination and new strategy. In future they will have to face the KNP and South Asia Watch, London.

Writer is a political analyst, TV anchor and author of many books and booklets. Also he is Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs; Chairman South Asia Watch, London. Email:drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com 

China Should Either Make Peace With India Or Forget About CPEC, Forbes

China Should Either Make Peace With India Or Forget About CPEC

Panos Mourdoukoutas ,  NOV 16, 2016

China desperately needs the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).  It’s part of that nation’s vision to write the rules of the next stage of globalization and help its export and investment engines grow for years to come—a good prospect for investors in Chinese equities, which have been lagging behind of those of neighboring India.

Ranking	China	India
Population (millions)	1374.62	1254.02
Per Capita GDP ($, Dec2015)	6416	1806
Human Development Index (2015)	90	130
Entrepreneurship Index (2016)	60	98
Economic Freedom Index (2016)	144	123
Index/Fund			12-month Performance	5-year Performance
IShares China (NYSE:FXI)			-5.16%	7.5.0%
iShares S&P India 50 (NASDAQ:INDY)			1.0%	32.18%

Source: Finance.yahoo.com 11/16/16

Specifically, CPEC is the express link between Western China, the Middle East, and Africa–China’s second continent. Ideologically that is, which can explain why Beijing has committed $46 billion to the project.

The trouble is that CPEC passes through Pakistani regions claimed by India. That makes it a bumpy road, to say the least — Pakistan and India continue to fight for control of these regions.

That’s why China needs to make peace with India.

So far, China has done very little to appease India. In fact, it has done quite the opposite: repeatedly blocking India’s efforts to join the Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG).

And it has sided openly with Pakistan in the India-Pakistan Kashmir standoff, as evidenced by statements by China’s senior officials on the sidelines of the ongoing 71st session of United Nations General Assembly in New York.

That can explain why India’s has sided with the US in the South China Sea disputes, as previously discussed here.

And things could turn worse, if pro-Indian forces in Pakistan sabotage China’s CPEC route.

That raises the possibility of an open confrontation between China and Pakistan on the one side, and India and its allies on the other.

Is China ready for this scenario? Probably not. That’s why Beijing should either appease New Delhi or forget about CPEC altogether.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/panosmourdoukoutas/2016/11/16/china-should-either-make-peace-with-india-or-forget-about-cpec/#248a493122ee

Protesters in Gojal Valley demand payment of land compensation, action against NHA

Protesters in Gojal Valley demand payment of land compensation, action against NHA officials       Nov 17, 2016   Pamir Times

Pamir Times is the pioneering community news and views portal of Gilgit – Baltistan, Kohistan, Chitral and the surrounding mountain areas. It is a voluntary, not-for-profit, non-partisan and independent venture initiated by the youth.

Sost: A protest demonstrations and strike is underway in Gojal Valley today. People from across the valley have reached the border town Sost to stage a protest demonstration. The road has been blocked in Sost by the protesters. Banners have been displayed at multiple locations in various villages. Shops in various areas have been kept shut on the call of the “Action Committee of KKH Affectees.”

The protesters are demanding payment of compensation for the land used for expansion of Karakoram Highway. The protesters accused National Highway Authority (NHA) of “willfully delaying” the payment of compensation money.

They said that by denying the locals their legal and due right the NHA is instigating people to protest and go on strike. They demanded action against NHA’s GM and other officials, accusing them of not heeding the peoples’ demands.

The protesters were chanting Pakistan Zindabad, Pak Army Zindabad slogans. They appealed to the Prime Minister and the Army Chief General Raheel Sharif to address the grievances of the local farmers and land owners, and ensure that the compensation money is paid. They said that a large number of youth across the valley want to invest the compensation money to capitalize from the benefits and opportunities offered by CPEC.

The protesters have said that the markets in Sost will remain closed until NHA announces a date for payment of the compensation money.

It is pertinent to note that so far not a single penny has been paid to the land owners in Gojal Valley, while partial payments have been made in other parts of Hunza District, and other regions.