Pak to pay additional charge for CPEC

The people of Pakistan, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit-Baltistan, would have to pay an additional charge for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

A release by National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) said, "The decision is being intimated to the federal government for the purpose of notification in the official gazette pursuant to Section 31 (7) of the Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power Act, 1997."

CPEC is a collection of infrastructure projects that are currently under construction throughout Pakistan. It is a part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The CPEC intends to rapidly modernise Pakistani infrastructure and strengthen its economy by the construction of modern transportation networks, numerous energy projects, and special economic zones.

The USD 63 billion project has been criticised by India since it passes through disputed Pakistan- occupied Kashmir (PoK) region.

On the other hand, China had said that it had respected all territorial laws and that the issue was an "internal matter" between New Delhi and Islamabad.

--ANI