A new law for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects is going to be introduced by the government to fast-track their progress.
A draft law about the CPEC Authority has recently been approved by the Cabinet Committee on the Disposal of the Legislative Cases (CCLC). The federal cabinet is likely to approve the newly-drafted law before presenting it in the National Assembly, as per the details provided.
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“Following the expiry of the CPEC Authority Ordinance 2019, the government has prepared a fresh draft of CPEC Authority Bill 2020 to amicably deal with issues pertaining to CPEC Authority and to speed up the pace of CPEC projects which are important for the economic development of the country,” an insider informed about the fast-track plan.
However, the CPEC Authority was established through CPEC Authority Ordinance 2019 on 5th October 2019. It aimed for the coordination, evaluation, and monitoring of CPEC-related activities in Pakistan. After the grant of a time extension of 120 days through a resolution, the ordinance expired on 31st May 2020.
Furthermore, the law was proposed to abolish the position of chief executive officer of the CPEC Authority. It also reduces the powers of the CPEC Authority chairman in the decision-making process and also, it ends the CPEC Authority’s powers to constitute CPEC Business Council.
As per the draft law, “The authority may call for any pertinent information, required by it from any person, institution or body that is or has been involved directly or indirectly in any CPEC-related activity, while any person or its authorized officer will be bound to provide this information within the period prescribed by the authority or such officer.”
The authority in the performance of its functions can seek facilitation and assistance of office, an agency working under the government, or a representative designated by the provinces and territories. For this purpose, territories and provinces may appoint a representative to provide input and assist the authority in the performance of the functions under the new law.
The majority of the total members will take the decision of the authority and the minority will be of two-thirds of the total members.
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