CPEC criticised as it doesn't benefit Balochistan: Husain Haqqani

Former Ambassador of Pakistan to United States Husain Haqqani has said that the China should not take criticism on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as an attack on itself, but rather it is the way the package has been designed, which is being criticized which does not benefit the people of Balochistan.

Responding to a Chinese diplomat at an event on Friday, Haqqani said that the CPEC is intended to benefit all of Pakistan, but it is not China's business to focus on that, but it is Pakistan's business and Pakistan has numerous internal problems.

"I would say as the Pakistani on the panel that our Chinese friends should not take criticism of CPEC as an attack on china or its intentions. It is the criticism of the way that the package has been designed that it does not benefit the people of Balochistan, it does not benefit the people of Sindh," Haqqani said.

Haqqani said that the major problem is that there is lack of justice; lack of reorganization of rights of people within the country, 'particular the baloch people.'

He added that it is more important to and would make more sense if those 'injustices' are addressed before the project and influx of money is actually invested.

Earlier, Haqqani has said that the baloch posters in Switzerland, highlighting atrocities being committed by the Pakistani forces in Balochistan, will pave the way for greater isolation of Islamabad.

"PM Abbasi's statement at UNGA was basically directed at his own supporters inside Pakistan and it had no impact whatsoever at the International level. Unfortunately, Pakistan is headed towards International isolation and its leaders does not want to acknowledge it," Haqqani told ANI.

"I'm somebody who advocates human rights for Balochistan but I m not a supporter of free Balochistan yet I would say that baloch have human rights and the fundamental right to voice whatever they feel," he added.

The ex-envoy said that attempts to try and silence Baloch people inside and outside Pakistan are not conducive to normal relations between Pakistan and Balochistan.