Panel Discussion by IEEEP, Karachi
The 34th International Multi-Topic Symposium organized by the Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Pakistan concluded with a panel discussion on “CPEC-How it is already affecting Pakistan’s Economy”. The panelists in the discussion included Mohammad Zubair Motiwala, Dr Kaiser Bengali, Engr Khalid Javed, Dr Huma Baqai, Dr Rana Abdul Jabbar Khan and Tahir Chowdhury.
The heated debate was witnessed during the panel discussion on pros and cons of CPEC but in the end everyone consented that in the changing political dimensions of the region opting CPEC was a must for Pakistan but the interest of local industry should be paid due attention as well. Some of the speakers urged the people of Pakistan to face the challenges arising out of CPEC with steadfast resolution to make this venture a success.
Motiwala, taking part in the discussion, said that already affects of CPEC can be felt as toys made in Hong Kong that were selling as high as one thousand rupees in the local market can now be bought Chinese made for as little as just Rs90. Assumptions of failure of Gwadar to emerge as a modern city were also strongly refuted, and for the observation it was said the Gwadar city has a shortage of water; examples of the cities of Dubai and Sharjah were given, both the cities get very little rain but continue to flourish on desalinated water and the same is planned for Gwadar for which the work is in progress. The opposition of India to Gwadar port and city was also discussed as the reason for some negative propaganda against the city. Speakers expressed satisfaction that CPEC represents the new alignments in the region which were long overdue and should in fact have happened soon after 9/11.
