PM Nawaz Sharif inaugurates first phase of western route of CPEC

DI Khan (APP) : Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif here Tuesday Inaugurated the first phase of the western route of China Pakistan Economic Corridor Project (CPEC) Yarik DI Khan to Rehmani Khel (55 kilometers long expressway) that would expedite pace of development in the southern districts of Khyber Pakthunkhwa.

Upon arrival at DI Khan, the Prime Minister was received by Khyber Pakthunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, JUIF Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Federal Minister for Housing Akram Khan Durrani, senior officials besides lawmakers and a large number of workers of PML-N and JUIF.

The Prime Minister formally inaugurated the 55 kilometers four-lane expressway from Yarik DI Khan to Rehmanikhel on Indus Highway as part of first western route of CPEC.

Secretary Communication in his briefing told the Prime Minister that this project would be completed with an estimated cost of Rs2 billion in two years. This expressway would pass from Rehmankhel to Pindi Gaib onward to Burhan. The first phase of CEPC western route would be completed in five parts.

The inauguration of the first phase of the CPEC was highly commended by people of Khyber Pakthunkhwa as a large number of people gathered at the venue of public meeting warmly applauded the inauguration of the expressway. The inauguration of western route has squashed all the rumours and concerns of some elements and now it has become a reality.

On this occasion, the workers of PMLN and JUIF raised slogans in favour of Prime Minister, “Qadam Bharhao Nawaz Sharif Hum Tumhary Sath Hain, Nawaz Sharif Zindabad”.

While addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif  said Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) together would make a “real new Pakistan”, while those engaged in politics of sit-ins were destined to continue so. “A new, more sustainable partnership of PML-N and JUI-F is in the making, which will work together for the development of masses,” the Prime Minister said after performing the ground-breaking of 285-kilometre-long D.I.Khan to Hakla motorway.

The project is part of the western alignment of China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The Prime Minister said PML-N and JUI-F had joined hands to pursue the agenda of development, which was meant to change the fate of the people of Khyber Pukthunkhwa. He said the tall claims by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of making a ‘New Pakistan’ had been evaporated with no performance delivered in KPK.

He said PTI had faced defeat in the Peshawar’s recent bye-elections as people had become aware of its agenda.

He pointed that PTI would ultimately lose its control in the province during general election 2018. “The opponents are using the youth as a tool, while for us, they are assets,” Nawaz Sharif said addressing the mammoth public gathering mainly comprising youth supporters from both PML-N and JUI-F.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif launched the project of provision of gas to the tehsils of D.I.Khan with Rs 770 million. He announced a package of development funds worth Rs 500 million for D.I.Khan city and district. He announced setting up an agriculture university in the city.

He directed to completed the Chashma Right Bank Canal project with a cost of Rs 120 billion within three months.

The Prime Minister said 65 percent of the expenditure would be borne by the federal government while 35 percent by the provincial government of KPK. He also ordered to carry out the feasibility study of Tank Zam dam and a project of preventing measures for losses due to floods.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman in his speech termed people as the true power and spirit of democracy and added that the massive public gathering in D.I.Khan had demonstrated support for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. “We support peace, stability and strong democracy in the country,” he said.

He said criticism was the right of political parties, however stressed that it must not result in destabilization of democracy.

Fazlur Rehman said the Opposition retracted several times of its demands of setting up a judicial commission.

About Imran Khan, he said the one critical of Nawaz Sharif had been himself involved in setting up offshore company in 1983 and mentioned that he had also requested the then chief minister Nawaz Sharif to allot him a land.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman presented a souvenir of local traditional woodcraft to the Prime Minister.

Governor KPK Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Federal Minister for Housing Akram Durrani and Leader of Opposition in KPK Assembly Lutf-ur-Rehman were present.