China denies reports of less share of KP, Balochistan in CPEC

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Chief of Mission at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, Zhao Lijian, has dispelled the impression about perceived less share of Khyber Pakhtukhwa (KP) and Balochistan as he explained the share of four provinces in the $51.5 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong said that the media reports stating that he had told KP Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak that Western route was not included in CPEC were “untrue.”

The official also tweeted that some media reports implying CPEC as ‘China-Punjab Economic Corridor’ are baseless.

According to Mr. Zhao, the breakup of CPEC projects is as follows:

Balochistan 16

KPK 8

Sindh 13

Punjab 12

A Reuters report earlier this year said that the armed forces and interior ministry have sent hundreds of extra soldiers and police to Gwadar, the southern hub of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)for security of the project.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang some months ago said progress so far on the corridor was “generally speaking, quite smooth”.

“The Pakistani government has done a great deal of work to protect the security of Chinese organisations and citizens. China is deeply thankful for this,” Lu added.