CPEC: Shahbaz Sharif government to cancel China-Pakistan Economic Corridor authority:

The Pakistani government has decided to cancel the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) authority, local media reported, adding that all aspects of the project would be handed over to the Planning Commission.

The Ministry of Planning and Development informed the Senate Standing Committee on Planning on Friday, The Express Tribune reported.

A meeting of the Standing Committee was held at the Parliament Lodge, chaired by Senator Selim Mandviwala, to discuss the CPEC Authority Amendment Bill, 2021.

Ministry officials said the mega project would be handed over to the Planning Commission. They further added that the authorities have not done any significant work, so the issue of dismantling it is being considered and a final decision will be taken soon.

Gilgit-Baltistan has witnessed local protests against the Pakistani military over land issues. Locals are angry over the army’s ‘land grab’ called the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Local communities firmly believe that Pakistan has in fact leased the whole of Gilgit-Baltistan to China for the next half century under the guise of CPEC and its security. Thousands of Chinese are already working on CPEC projects in the region. They are accompanied by hundreds of Chinese spies and military personnel monitoring the locals as well as providing security to Chinese companies.