APC demands inclusion of Malakand in CPE project

Lahore: Ameer, Jamaat e Islami, Pakistan, Senator Sirajul Haq, has urged the federal government not to make the China Pakistan Economic Corridor project controversial  by limiting it to any specific area or any specific people.

Addressing a press conference after an APC on the CPEC project at Chakdara, he said that Malakand division had equal right to be included in the CPEC project because of its strategic location.

The APC was attended by representatives of the PML(N), JUI(F), PTI MNA  Junaid Akbar, PPP’s Sahibzada Sanaullah, and others.

Sirajul Haq said that a declaration adopted at the APC pointed out that the Malakand division provided the best route for the CPEC as was short and easiest way and would also be helpful for Afghanistan and the Central Asian States.  It demanded that this route should be considered seriously. It also called for completing  the Lewari tunnel on war footing and for including the Malakand division in the PSDP.

Sirajul Haq said that they did not want to make the CPEC project controversial in view of its immense importance f or national development but would try to adopt other options for deciding the irritants through mutual understanding.

The JI chief said that the Malakand division had rich forests but due to lack of roads, the forests were being used by the local people for fuel. The area was without SUI gas and there was also neglected in industries.

He noted that the Malakand division had beautiful tourist spots such as Kalam, Madyan, Garam Chashma, but due to lack of roads, the number of visitors was low.

The APC called for separate women universities in Malakand to raise female literacy because of the traditions of the area.