October 02, 2018 (MLN): The upper house of Parliament has expressed grave concerns over government providing Saudi Arabia a substantial role in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as well as its plans to make Riyadh a stakeholder in Reko Diq mines project.
These concerns came at the rear of Saudi delegation’s arrival to discuss these matters with the Pakistani authorities.
During the Senate session that took place on Monday, the senators criticized the government for keeping the Parliament oblivious regarding its plans of making Saudi Arabia third partner in the CPEC.
Former chairman Senate Raza Rabbani demanded explanation from Finance Minister Asad Umar regarding government’s perspective on the growing public perception over the dilution of the CPEC.
He also panned the federal government for sidestepping Balochistan in its plans to involve Saudi Arabia in the Reko Diq project.
National Party’s Senator Hasil Bizenjo said that since Balochistan owned the Reko Diq mines, the federal government had no say in this regard whatsoever.
