Opposition in Senate stages walk-out over CPEC issue.

ISLAMABAD -- The Opposition on Friday staged a protest walk-out from the Senate over the 'unsatisfactory' response of the government on the issues related to China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority.

The Opposition protested after Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar told the house that CPEC Authority Ordinance had lapsed in May 31, 2020 and Ministry of Planning was looking into all affairs of the authority.

'All matters of CPEC have come under the control of Ministry of Planning because authority does not exist now after the ordinance lapsed.' Earlier, the Opposition questioned the status of the CPEC Authority stating how the authority continues to work after the ordinance had lapsed.

Responding to the Opposition, the Federal Minister said the authority doesn't exit legally and there is no question of any official working under it.

He said that the National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning had endorsed the law about CPEC Authority on November 16, 2020.

The law will be presented before the Parliament to have its final assent, he said. 'If the Parliament will consider it appropriate, it will approve the same.'

Hammad also chided the Opposition while apparently referring to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and questioned why it wanted to see an individual the Prime Minister of the country who was involved both in the Broadsheet and Panama cases.

Earlier, Minister for Planning Asad Umar in its written reply informed the house that the CPEC Authority Bill was pending before the National Assembly. 'All administrative and financial decisions relating to CPEC projects are being taken by the relevant Ministries / Departments in accordance with the Laws and Rules in vogue.'

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However, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Senator Mushtaq Ahmad, the mover of question, and PML-N Senator Javed Abbasi objected over the response of the government. Senator Abbasi held that the reply was inappropriate before the Opposition parties staged a protest walk-out from the house.

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