Much touted CPEC under threat due to PML-N's ineptness

[Slog]

Pakistan's survival is not contingent on achieving what you posted in the previous post. In a hypothetical scenario where Karachi blockades Pakistan, Pakistan could fare much better off than Karachi as long as it has a domestic outlet for its export goods (ie the port). I'm not saying it would be unscathed but at least it wouldn't have 20 million hungry mouths to feed with no money to do so.

And here you don't have a problem wit the language [MENTION=141718]LowKiiSavage[/MENTION]?

Atleast hopefully you show some consistency

 

[LowKiiSavage]

And here you don't have a problem wit the language [MENTION=141718]LowKiiSavage[/MENTION]?

Atleast hopefully you show some consistency

The language used should be civil and i pointed out where i felt it was being derogatory. I havent had read this post until you quoted me.

Btw in reply to [MENTION=132752]endymion248[/MENTION], Karachi cannot hypothetically blockade even Sindh let alone Pakistan.

 

[Slog]

Enjoy.

Still It contributes more than 50% federal revenue (regardless of the weird methodology used) so my point stands. As I said where it's sourced is what matters because there would be no other way in most cases to retrieve this if not this way

So yeah very enjoyable to be vindicated

 

[endymion248]

Those 20 million mouths to feed also account for a big chunk of Pakistan's GDP.

GDP per capita is more important in this context. And it would decrease, no doubt, but like I said, Karachi needs Pakistan more than Pakistan needs Karachi.

 

[Abdullah719]

Best stick to the topic rather than discussing posters and engaging in personal attacks. Clear?

 

[Gosha]

I would never ever understand, the weird deep seated hatred some Karachities have for whole Pakistan and especially Punjabis.

Karachiites don't have hate for Pakistan or even Punjabis. Even after decades of persecution and suppression, Karachiites still are very patriotic. Yes Karachiites are frustrated because they don't have any control over their own freakin city. Btw it's not just Karachiites that have a problem with Punjabis. Even Pakthuns and Baloch despise Punjabis. Even Bengalis had problems with Punjabis and we've seen the result of that.

Funny thing is that it does not goes both ways as Punjabis for more part are individualistic and do not believe in regionalism and more on Pakistaniyat.

Why do Punjabis present themselves as some mazloom and innocent folks? Punjabis make up the majority in Pakistan, they have more control of the government and even army. They don't need to believe in regionalism as they have literally profited off of every other ethnic group and part of Pakistan. Every province of Pakistan has gone through military and rangers operations yet Punjab which is the hotbed of extremism is safe from such operations, another example of Punjabi mazloomiyat.

 

[LowKiiSavage]

Still It contributes more than 50% federal revenue (regardless of the weird methodology used) so my point stands. As I said where it's sourced is what matters because there would be no other way in most cases to retrieve this if not this way

So yeah very enjoyable to be vindicated

It does not. The article clearly states that its a mere 30 per cent.

 

[Slog]

It does not. The article clearly states that its a mere 30 per cent.

Read it again. If you look at where it's sourced from its 54%.

And it's not like even 30+% is insignificant for less than 10% population

But as far as source is concerned it's more than half.

 

[endymion248]

Read it again. If you look at where it's sourced from its 54%.

And it's not like even 30+% is insignificant for less than 10% population

But as far as source is concerned it's more than half.

So now Karachi population is less than 18 million people? But when debating about quotas and seats, it's more than half of Sindh? Does not compute.

 

[blackanhyellow]

The focus of CPEC should have been to develop the most impoverished areas like Balochistan and the tribal areas.

but just like Pakistani politicians, even the PPers here make this about Punjab and Karachi.

Get over yourselves guys, if you do not let other regions develop Pakistan will keep suffering from security issues and poverty.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

karachi will not lose importance due to gwadar, rather it will diversify and increase trade due to infrastructure improvement around the country. Human capital of 10-15 million in one city can never lose importance.

Country of 200 million needs more than 1 or 2 ports to grow. The U.K. Probably has 10 ports dotted around the country.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

The focus of CPEC should have been to develop the most impoverished areas like Balochistan and the tribal areas.

but just like Pakistani politicians, even the PPers here make this about Punjab and Karachi.

Get over yourselves guys, if you do not let other regions develop Pakistan will keep suffering from security issues and poverty.

Yes agreed, it should be straight line north from gwadar through kpk first, get that operational and goods flowing ASAP.

The operational effects of Cpec will be tremendous in the great game going on in the neighbourhood...... Quickest route to largest consumer market in the world.....

 

[saeedhk]

The worst part is they cut some of Sindh's and Balouchistan's projects and directed the funds to Punjab projects.

This is why we need to split up Punjab into atleast two smaller provinces. Right now a political party can win 90% of their seats from Punjab and form the federal government. They can then go ahead and focus on their own province and not give a rat's behind about the other federating units because they didn't get any votes from there.

I hope and pray that PML-N is not reelected in 2018, or it gathers seats from other provinces as well, otherwise this sense of alienation will rise and it may hurt the integrity of Pakistan.

I hate to say it but the PML-N will easily win the 2018 elections.

Sent from my Lenovo A6000 using Tapatalk

 

[Pakpak]

Karachiites don't have hate for Pakistan or even Punjabis. Even after decades of persecution and suppression, Karachiites still are very patriotic. Yes Karachiites are frustrated because they don't have any control over their own freakin city. Btw it's not just Karachiites that have a problem with Punjabis. Even Pakthuns and Baloch despise Punjabis. Even Bengalis had problems with Punjabis and we've seen the result of that.



Why do Punjabis present themselves as some mazloom and innocent folks? Punjabis make up the majority in Pakistan, they have more control of the government and even army. They don't need to believe in regionalism as they have literally profited off of every other ethnic group and part of Pakistan. Every province of Pakistan has gone through military and rangers operations yet Punjab which is the hotbed of extremism is safe from such operations, another example of Punjabi mazloomiyat.

What BS. Zia, Musharaaf, Benazir, Zardari, Bhutto who have ruled Pakistan were all Punjabis were they? I hate this ethnic nonsense which is not enjoyable to read in this thread, all of us are the same. We are all Pakistanis. But lets have perspective. Our county has not been ruled by Punjabis for the majority of its existence.

 

[Pakpak]

The focus of CPEC should have been to develop the most impoverished areas like Balochistan and the tribal areas.

but just like Pakistani politicians, even the PPers here make this about Punjab and Karachi.

Get over yourselves guys, if you do not let other regions develop Pakistan will keep suffering from security issues and poverty.

Best post in the thread.

 

[MSaad1237]

As long as Karachi and Sindh folks will keep voting for MQM,PPP etc. they only have themselves to blame for the mess in their city ..

 

[Bewal Express]

I hate to say it but the PML-N will easily win the 2018 elections.

Sent from my Lenovo A6000 using Tapatalk

When people couldn't get worked up to get rid of a corrupt PM and his dynasty, you know the writings on the wall for IK. Let's see if the bring the institutional reform promised for the last 30 years. It is obvious that they need longer to bring reform to the institutions they rely on to subvert the law. As I have said, IK is wasting his time because nothing can and will change in the country. Let the people enjoy the rule of the Sharif dynasty!

 

[Syed1]

When people couldn't get worked up to get rid of a corrupt PM and his dynasty, you know the writings on the wall for IK. Let's see if the bring the institutional reform promised for the last 30 years. It is obvious that they need longer to bring reform to the institutions they rely on to subvert the law. As I have said, IK is wasting his time because nothing can and will change in the country. Let the people enjoy the rule of the Sharif dynasty!

I know it's not a problem right now, but down the line Nawaz's and Shahbaz's offspring will fight as to who gets to sit on the throne.

We are stuck with the Sharifs for atleast the next ten years.

I guess this nation is happy with its present state so what can IK or anybody else do.

 

[saeedhk]

When people couldn't get worked up to get rid of a corrupt PM and his dynasty, you know the writings on the wall for IK. Let's see if the bring the institutional reform promised for the last 30 years. It is obvious that they need longer to bring reform to the institutions they rely on to subvert the law. As I have said, IK is wasting his time because nothing can and will change in the country. Let the people enjoy the rule of the Sharif dynasty!

People do not vote for a political party; they vote for the local candidate in their area. PML-N is a strong party because they give party tickets to influential and prominent individuals throughout Punjab. A persons` s character, credentials are totally irrelevant.

Everyone in AJK knows Nawaz is corrupt but the PML-N still won including from my constituency. The candidate from my constituency is filthy rich and he threw money at people. And that did it!



Sent from my Lenovo A6000 using Tapatalk

 

[Bewal Express]

I know it's not a problem right now, but down the line Nawaz's and Shahbaz's offspring will fight as to who gets to sit on the throne.

We are stuck with the Sharifs for atleast the next ten years.

I guess this nation is happy with its present state so what can IK or anybody else do.

IK needs to get a life, he needs to get married and leave this crap behind. People will wake up when somebody has to pay the bills.

 

[Syed1]

All said and done, CPEC is the way forward.

It took us freaking 70 years to put a motorway between the two biggest economic centers

I hope CPEC leads to more wealth creation and it is distributed equitably and not just concentrated in one province.

Last time I was in Lahore it seemed like a city from a different country when compared to Karachi. The development was unprecedented, I hope in the coming years PML-N is able to take off their Punjabi tinted glasses and spread this good work to other parts of the country and Southern Punjab.

 

[Bewal Express]

All said and done, CPEC is the way forward.

It took us freaking 70 years to put a motorway between the two biggest economic centers

I hope CPEC leads to more wealth creation and it is distributed equitably and not just concentrated in one province.

Last time I was in Lahore it seemed like a city from a different country when compared to Karachi. The development was unprecedented, I hope in the coming years PML-N is able to take off their Punjabi tinted glasses and spread this good work to other parts of the country and Southern Punjab.

Lahore is the mannequin in the Nooras showroom. If you spend the vast majority of the development budget in one area, you better make the window and the mannequin look amazing.

 

[Slog]

So now Karachi population is less than 18 million people? But when debating about quotas and seats, it's more than half of Sindh? Does not compute.

Maybe maths isn't your strong suit because have no idea where you're coming from. Or explain properly what's the issue here

Karachi population is estimated to be at 20 million which exactly translates to about 10 of the total population. We don't know the number for certain Ofcourse because there hasn't been a census for political reasons since 1998. There was one supposed to be in March but PML-N keeps delaying it (PPP did same).

Karachis population has seen such a massive increase due to migration inwards especially from interior Sindh and KPK. However Interior Sindhs hasn't and Infact there's been a negative net migration rate due to increased rural urban migration. Literally No one disagrees with this

At the very least there is 50:50 mix which is neither represented in quotas nor the seats. Quotas have almost 65:35 mix (iirc) and seats have 67:33 mix (100% sure here).

So the math adds up

 

[endymion248]

Maybe maths isn't your strong suit because have no idea where you're coming from. Or explain properly what's the issue here

Karachi population is estimated to be at 20 million which exactly translates to about 10 of the total population. We don't know the number for certain Ofcourse because there hasn't been a census for political reasons since 1998. There was one supposed to be in March but PML-N keeps delaying it (PPP did same).

Karachis population has seen such a massive increase due to migration inwards especially from interior Sindh and KPK. However Interior Sindhs hasn't and Infact there's been a negative net migration rate due to increased rural urban migration. Literally No one disagrees with this

At the very least there is 50:50 mix which is neither represented in quotas nor the seats. Quotas have almost 65:35 mix (iirc) and seats have 67:33 mix (100% sure here).

So the math adds up

Except Sindh's population is by all estimates above 50 million so, if Karachi has your estimated 18 millions, then it's a far-cry from 50:50.

 

[Slog]

Except Sindh's population is by all estimates above 50 million so, if Karachi has your estimated 18 millions, then it's a far-cry from 50:50.

Well I guess a simple solution would be a census due in 2008 which curiously PML-N and PPP both seem to do everything to avoid

 

[Slog]

Well I guess a simple solution would be a census due in 2008 which curiously PML-N and PPP both seem to do everything to avoid

To add

A lot of people say Karachis population is more than 20 million. Either way more than 50% of revenue from taxes is sourced in Karachi even using the link given by a poster above so it's a moot point if it's 10% or 20%.

As for quotas and population. You also have to include Hyderabad in the quota stats as that and a couple of other areas come under urban quota. Which would take urban area population close to 30 million easily

 

[endymion248]

Well I guess a simple solution would be a census due in 2008 which curiously PML-N and PPP both seem to do everything to avoid

PPP probably don't want to because Karachi has far more people than 10%, between 25 or 30 million people.

 

[endymion248]

To add

A lot of people say Karachis population is more than 20 million. Either way more than 50% of revenue from taxes is sourced in Karachi even using the link given by a poster above so it's a moot point if it's 10% or 20%.

As for quotas and population. You also have to include Hyderabad in the quota stats as that and a couple of other areas come under urban quota. Which would take urban area population close to 30 million easily

His link says 30% which isn't out of the norm for an entirely urban area. Urban areas from all around the country have higher tax collections than rural areas despite the majority of the population being rural. You'd find similar disproportionate contributions from Lahore or Peshawar.

 

[Suleiman]

Yet again the government can't fathom seeing Karachi progress. Supreme Court orders to halt any and all construction work in Bahria Town.

A strong Karachi is the #1 threat to seyt type Punjabis.

But we will rise. #karachijeetayga

 

[endymion248]

Yet again the government can't fathom seeing Karachi progress. Supreme Court orders to halt any and all construction work in Bahria Town.

A strong Karachi is the #1 threat to seyt type Punjabis.

But we will rise. #karachijeetayga

What's the link between progress and Bahria town )

 

[Slog]

His link says 30% which isn't out of the norm for an entirely urban area. Urban areas from all around the country have higher tax collections than rural areas despite the majority of the population being rural. You'd find similar disproportionate contributions from Lahore or Peshawar.

His link says 54%

 

[endymion248]

His link says 54%

That's before adjusting for companies that operate elsewhere having HQs there.

 

[Slog]

That's before adjusting for companies that operate elsewhere having HQs there.

In terms of this conversations it's always been where the taxes are sourced

 

[endymion248]

In terms of this conversations it's always been where the taxes are sourced

Ok.

 

[Gosha]

What BS. Zia, Musharaaf, Benazir, Zardari, Bhutto who have ruled Pakistan were all Punjabis were they? I hate this ethnic nonsense which is not enjoyable to read in this thread, all of us are the same. We are all Pakistanis. But lets have perspective. Our county has not been ruled by Punjabis for the majority of its existence.

Umm pretty sure Zia was a Punjabi and the current Sharifs are all Punjabi. It's cute to say we're all Pakistanis but it's evident that most ethnic groups in Pakistan do not feel that they are treated the same way as Punjabis.

 

[Pakpak]

Umm pretty sure Zia was a Punjabi and the current Sharifs are all Punjabi. It's cute to say we're all Pakistanis but it's evident that most ethnic groups in Pakistan do not feel that they are treated the same way as Punjabis.

What about the rest on the list, are they Punjabi too?

Ayub, Benazir, Bhutto, Musharraf, Zardari have ruled our country for decades, at least half of our existence. So this myth that only Punjabis have ruled Pakistan is just that, a BS myth.

Now, the resources that Punjab leeches off other provinces is indeed a legitimate issue, but its a separate issue and deserves attention. But to lie that Pakistan has been under control of Punjabis is utter crap, it has been ruled by people who were not Punjabis as well.

 

[Gosha]

What about the rest on the list, are they Punjabi too?

Ayub, Benazir, Bhutto, Musharraf, Zardari have ruled our country for decades, at least half of our existence. So this myth that only Punjabis have ruled Pakistan is just that, a BS myth.

Now, the resources that Punjab leeches off other provinces is indeed a legitimate issue, but its a separate issue and deserves attention. But to lie that Pakistan has been under control of Punjabis is utter crap, it has been ruled by people who were not Punjabis as well.

You do realize that's not how it works right? Obama is President but that doesn't mean blacks are ruling America, quite the contrary actually. In Pakistan, several former leaders may have been non Punjabi but the Parliamant and Senate was still prominently Punjabi. A party only needs to win from Punjab to rule the country. Not to mention the military is also viewed as Punjabi dominant.

I don't know about other cities but in Karachi, the police is made up of mostly Punjabis and Sindhis. In a city which is majority Urdu speaking this is quite despicable. Same goes for the ethnic make up of Rangers.

 

[endymion248]

Umm pretty sure Zia was a Punjabi and the current Sharifs are all Punjabi. It's cute to say we're all Pakistanis but it's evident that most ethnic groups in Pakistan do not feel that they are treated the same way as Punjabis.

Sharifs are Kashmiris.

 

[Pakpak]

You do realize that's not how it works right? Obama is President but that doesn't mean blacks are ruling America, quite the contrary actually. In Pakistan, several former leaders may have been non Punjabi but the Parliamant and Senate was still prominently Punjabi. A party only needs to win from Punjab to rule the country. Not to mention the military is also viewed as Punjabi dominant.

I don't know about other cities but in Karachi, the police is made up of mostly Punjabis and Sindhis. In a city which is majority Urdu speaking this is quite despicable. Same goes for the ethnic make up of Rangers.

Then it begs the question what did those non-Punjabi leaders do to break the Punjabi monopoly?

Nothing.

As for the Obama analogy he is the first black president in hundreds of years of American history. We are only 70 years old and half of that was under non-Punjabi rule, even the Sharifs are not Punjabis. Massive difference, and also shows that ethnicity does not stop someone becoming powerful in our country.

As I said the resources that Punjab leeches off other provinces is indeed a legitimate issue, but its a separate issue and deserves attention. But to lie that Pakistan has been under control of Punjabis is utter crap, it has been ruled by people who were not Punjabis as well.

 

[Pakpak]

You do realize that's not how it works right? Obama is President but that doesn't mean blacks are ruling America, quite the contrary actually. In Pakistan, several former leaders may have been non Punjabi but the Parliamant and Senate was still prominently Punjabi. A party only needs to win from Punjab to rule the country. Not to mention the military is also viewed as Punjabi dominant.

I don't know about other cities but in Karachi, the police is made up of mostly Punjabis and Sindhis. In a city which is majority Urdu speaking this is quite despicable. Same goes for the ethnic make up of Rangers.

And which you won't see me defend. I am not a bigot and I have admitted, three times now, that Punjab leeches off other provinces.

 

[Waseem]

What BS. Zia, Musharaaf, Benazir, Zardari, Bhutto who have ruled Pakistan were all Punjabis were they? I hate this ethnic nonsense which is not enjoyable to read in this thread, all of us are the same. We are all Pakistanis. But lets have perspective. Our county has not been ruled by Punjabis for the majority of its existence.

It was quite painful to read this thread, even more so when educated youth is falling for this ethnic crap and not learning from mistakes of our past generation.
I think people need to understand that in our recent history Pakistan was ruled by non Punjabis from 99-2013 (Almost 14 years straight). In Musharaff's case, he was THE man in power (can't even use that excuse he was a dummy ruler).
As for Sharif family, we don't need to explain ourselves here, some of us are their biggest critics but what you do not understand is that they do NOT represent PUNJAB as you all claim, their hunger for power is not for Punjabis but for PERSONAL benefits. Their projects are NOT Punjab centric but rather Lahore centric so they can fool people in believing that their governance is the best.
When they visit foreign countries like China for development projects, they don't take a so called Punjabi leader (Shahbaz Sharif) with them but rather BROTHER Shahbaz Sharif and there is a HUGE difference. It's all about their PERSONAL power/money/greed (whatever you want to call it).
Having said that, when a non Punjabi leader (Zardari) got this opportunity not only in Sindh but also federal level, he preferred to steal every penny he could and turned the whole country into a mess, who can you blame?

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

[MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] Brother did you read Dawn Leaks 2 ?


If you have sometime than would like to read your analysis.

 

[Slog]

[MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] Brother did you read Dawn Leaks 2 ?


If you have sometime than would like to read your analysis.

Yes but haven't followed it in a. Lot of detail to give a proper take at this point

 

[Slog]

Sharifs are Kashmiris.

They call themselves punjabis of Brahmin origin and are accepted as such by people of punjab as they have been in the land for centuries. This is like saying Rashid latif isn't Urdu speaking due to Bengali origin centuries ago

 

[Syed1]

Dawn used to be such a nice paper. I grew up with it since we used to get it everyday from the day I opened my eyes to the world. To this day I go online to Dawn's website to read Pakistani news. However, a couple of incidents in the past year have really put me off from them. They also seem to have an agenda against CPEC and every other day they post an article against it.

 

[Rayyman]

Dawn used to be such a nice paper. I grew up with it since we used to get it everyday from the day I opened my eyes to the world. To this day I go online to Dawn's website to read Pakistani news. However, a couple of incidents in the past year have really put me off from them. They also seem to have an agenda against CPEC and every other day they post an article against it.

Hey I don't know much about Pakistani politics, but why don't they just have a civil war over there to solve all of this.

This way, Pakistan can be split into two countries. A good one, and a corrupt one.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Hey I don't know much about Pakistani politics, but why don't they just have a civil war over there to solve all of this.

This way, Pakistan can be split into two countries. A good one, and a corrupt one.

Great logic

 

[Slog]

Great logic

Surely this guy isn't serious

Anyways on topic

3 major projects are being shelved right now so currently the size of CPEC Has come down to $43bn.

 

[Syed1]

Surely this guy isn't serious

Anyways on topic

3 major projects are being shelved right now so currently the size of CPEC Has come down to $43bn.

Can you go in bit more detail about this, there is nothing on the news regarding this.

 

[Slog]

Can you go in bit more detail about this, there is nothing on the news regarding this.

I'll post something on it tomorrow

I was beyond shocked myself!

 

[Slog]

I'll post something on it tomorrow

I was beyond shocked myself!

Can you go in bit more detail about this, there is nothing on the news regarding this.

I am surprised there isn't more coverage on this.

I found this out inadvertently as I was doing a project for work and referring to the official CPEC website and the energy projects weren't tallying. So we called up the relevant folks and they told us this.

On the news this is the only thing I could find

http://nation.com.pk/national/19-May-2017/pakistan-china-drop-5-cpec-energy-projects

SLAMABAD - Pakistan and China agreed to revise and update the list of CPEC Energy Cooperation Project, removing 5 pending projects with the combined capacity of 3470 Megawatt, it is learnt reliably here Thursday.

In February it was agreed between the Chinese and Pakistani experts to drop five projects, mostly coal power projects, from the CPEC energy list and finally in the recent One Road One Belt (OBOR) forum it was formally dropped from the list, official sources told The Nation.

The projects which were dropped includes Muzaffargarh Coal Power Project (1,320MW), Salt Range Mine Mouth Power Project (300MW) including mining, Gaddani Power Park (1,320MW), Sunnec Wind Farm (50MW), Chichoki Mallian Combined-cycle Power Plant (525MW). Sources said that these projects were analyzed in-depth by energy experts from both sides and it was decided to remove these projects by declaring them technically unfeasible.

However the source said that with the removal of these projects the CPEC installed capacity agreed under the previous energy agreement will remain unchanged. More projects are expected to be inducted soon based on feasibility and mutual agreement of experts from both sides.

The Punjab government was planning to construct two coal-fired projects with the combined generation capacity of 2,640MW in Rahim Yaar Khan and Muzaffargarh districts of Punjab. Both the projects are part of CPEC projects and Punjab Power Development Board (PPDB) is the supervising agency. Similarly 525MW thermal power plant at Chichoki Mallian was first initiated in 2008 during the tenure of PPP government with the cost of $354.5 million, however it was never materialised. After the current government came into power it was included in the CPEC energy project list.

In the progress review meeting of the CPEC projects, held in February, the Punjab government was pursing the federal government to include the coal projects in the CPEC umbrella projects. The main logic presented by the Punjab government is that India’s share of energy from coal amounts to 70,000MW and Europe generates 60 percent of its energy using coal, and 65 percent electricity generated in the world is generated from coal. The source said that adding unfeasible projects to the CPEC list will affect the financial health of the country. The updated list of the projects is now available on the CPEC website.

When asked that how the capacity of CPEC projects will not affect from the decision, the source said new projects will be added to the portfolio and majority of them will be on Hydro electric generations. The Pakistani and Chinese authorities in the last JCC held in China agreed to include hydro power projects, in the northern Indus region, in the CPEC umbrella projects. Hydle is much cleaner and cheaper source of energy and an MOU to evaluate the feasibility of these projects has already been signed between the two countries.

This news is true 100%. Maybe additional projects will be added in the future but as of now almost USD 10bn worth of projects have been shelved

 

[Syed1]

I am surprised there isn't more coverage on this.

I found this out inadvertently as I was doing a project for work and referring to the official CPEC website and the energy projects weren't tallying. So we called up the relevant folks and they told us this.

On the news this is the only thing I could find

http://nation.com.pk/national/19-May-2017/pakistan-china-drop-5-cpec-energy-projects


This news is true 100%. Maybe additional projects will be added in the future but as of now almost USD 10bn worth of projects have been shelved

That's unfortunate. In the last para they say that they will replace these projects with hydro projects. Doesn't seem likely though.

With the Nooras at the helm the Chinese have to warm a lot of pockets to get things done.

 

[shortbread]

That's unfortunate. In the last para they say that they will replace these projects with hydro projects. Doesn't seem likely though.

With the Nooras at the helm the Chinese have to warm a lot of pockets to get things done.

I think blaming Sharif for everything is pointless, there's more money to be gained from the projects going ahead rather being shelved! Electricity generation is absolutely vital if there needs to be industrial growth, they both go hand in hand.

For all his shortcomings, Nawaz is smart and experienced enough to understand the desperate need for power generation. He would be the last person to say no to this!

 

[Gubol123]

it is actually good for Pakistan. Power projects using imported coal is too expensive and will be burden. China can actually invest/loan money to Pakistan to work on Hydel projects instead. Hydel projects are cheaper to operate once initial capital outlay is done.

 

[mmkextreme_1]

CPEC will not be affected by change of situation inside Pakistan: China

Reacting to disqualification of prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the United States on Friday hoped for ‘smooth political transition’ as China called it Pakistan’s internal affair

“This is the internal affair of Pakistan. As a friendly neighbour, China hopes that all parties and sections in Pakistan can prioritise state and national interests, properly deal with their domestic affairs, maintain unity and stability, and keep focusing on the economic and social development,” Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Lu Kang said, according to APP.

On the latest political situation in Pakistan, he said, “We have noted relevant reports” adding, the all-weather friendship between China and Pakistan has withstood the test of times.

Lu said, “We believe that the China-Pakistan strategic cooperative partnership will not be affected by the change of the situation inside Pakistan.”

“China stands ready to work with Pakistan to continue jointly building the Belt and Road and build a community of shared future, which serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples and promotes peace and development of the region and beyond,” he added.

Meanwhile, Washington said the US said was looking forward to a smooth political transition in Pakistan as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stepped down after the Supreme Court verdict.

Source: https://tribune.com.pk/story/1469149/disqualification-nawaz-us-hopes-smooth-political-transition/

 

[English August]

I am surprised there isn't more coverage on this.

This news is true 100%. Maybe additional projects will be added in the future but as of now almost USD 10bn worth of projects have been shelved

So CPEC is beginning to unravel and people are surprised? What was your first clue?

This is a classic case of crony capitalism: set of projects negotiated by an overbearing investor when the other party has zero negotiating leverage (and led by a corrupt politician whose pockets were probably nicely lined up to agree to every term and condition). All funded by debt (not equity) and prices pre-negotiated at well above market rates. And no provision to adjust prices if market moves lower.

The Chinese probably can't believe their luck!

BTW, if you move more projects to hydel vs. coal, your dependence on the rivers goes up dramatically. I don't need to spell out what that means for Pakistan strategically.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

How is CPEC progressing? Anyone here involved in any of the projects or live somewhere close by to CPEC related projects?

 

[Syed1]

How is CPEC progressing? Anyone here involved in any of the projects or live somewhere close by to CPEC related projects?

[MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION]

 

[Slog]

How is CPEC progressing? Anyone here involved in any of the projects or live somewhere close by to CPEC related projects?

Some of the coal mining and energy projects should come online in the next 12-24 months

A few of the nergy projects have been scrapped since they werent financially feasible

 

[Syed1]

I think the Karachi - Hyderabad motorway got completed. Infact the entire Karachi - Lahore motorway is progressing at rapid rate. The biggest section left is to connect Multan to Sukkur.

 

[the Great Khan]

Also keep in mind a parallel project called the Indus cascade project which will help alleviate Pakistans energy problem. hence why some of the energy projects in CPEC have been scrapped. China's CTG is investing upto 50billion to increase pakistans energy capacity to 60000 mw..

 

[Bewal Express]

All sounds great but the cost of the loans needs to be in public domain.

 

[Abdullah719]

CPEC railway line, economic zone projects face delay

ISLAMABAD: The inability of federal and provincial governments to do away with their inefficiencies has held back benefits of some of the critical China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects as an $8.2-billion project for upgrading main railway lines and a scheme for setting up special economic zones face delay.

The project for improvement of Pakistan Railways’ existing Main Line (ML-I) was planned to be completed in two phases between 2016 and 2020. However, its preliminary design has not been completed yet, creating hurdles in the way of coming up with the final cost and financing arrangements.

“The project cost can go up or down as the preliminary design will still take time,” said an official of the Planning Commission.

The matter came up for discussion in a meeting of the CPEC Coordination Review Committee, chaired by newly appointed Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong was present in the meeting.

“Pakistan Railways told the meeting that the project’s technical study will be done by the end of this year,” said Iqbal after the meeting.

He revealed that he would take up the issue of financing the rail line with Chinese authorities during his upcoming visit to Beijing.

The Planning Commission official said in order to overcome the challenges, it had been decided to split the project into two parts.

Preliminary design of the first phase was almost ready and a new PC-I would be submitted soon for approval of the Central Development Working Party (CDWP), he said.

In June last year, the CDWP approved, in principle, the $8.2-billion PC-I of the project, but it called for first working out its firm cost and financing arrangements before seeking final go-ahead from the Executive Committee of National Economic Council. Planning Commission documents showed that the first part cost would be roughly $3.2 billion.

The ML-I project comes under the CPEC framework. According to an understanding, 15% of the cost will be borne by Pakistan and 85% will be financed by relevant Chinese financial institutions. At present, Pakistan Railways handles less than 4% of the country’s traffic volume, which the government intends to increase to at least 20% by 2025.

The project involves upgrading of the railways existing main line from Karachi to Peshawar having total length of 1,872 km including the 91km Lodhran-Khanewal section and the 55km Taxila-Havelian section.

Major scope of work will involve upgrading of the existing double and single tracks over 1,598 km and overhauling of the existing 930km double line.


Economic zones

Another important feature of CPEC is the setting up of Prioritised Special Economic Zones, which will serve as a hub of industrial activities and are critical for job creation.

“A Chinese expert team is coming next month and it is unfortunate that provincial governments have sought two more months to finalise feasibility studies for their respective economic zones,” said the planning minister. For the past one year, he said, he had been pushing the provinces to complete work on the feasibility studies.

Iqbal said the performance of the Board of Investment (BoI), which takes centre stage in the planning and execution of economic zones, was also not up to the mark.

“BoI’s administrative infrastructure is incomplete and I have directed the authorities to submit a plan within one week,” said the minister. “We need a modern BoI to work on CPEC industrial zones.”

The minister noted with satisfaction that Gwadar projects had started moving forward. According to him, the Gwadar Eastbay Expressway project’s groundbreaking will be performed by the prime minister on his return from the United States. The design of the Gwadar New International Airport has been sent to China for review and it is expected to be finalised by the end of this year.

Iqbal said during his upcoming visit, dates for a meeting of the 7th CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee would be finalised in consultation with the Chinese authorities.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1512814/cpec-railway-line-economic-zone-projects-face-delay/