CPEC Authority and accountability

The federal government believes the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority was necessary. However, the opposition parties in a recent moot rejected it if created through an ordinance.
The scope of the authority has been enhanced scope after the inclusion of socio-economic, agriculture and industrial development, and third party participation.
The authority was set through a presidential ordinance on Oct 5, 2019.
In a moot of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning and Development PML-N and PPP rejected the government’s act of setting up the CPEC Authority through the presidential ordinance. They said it was an “illegal” move and is in violation of recommendations of the parliamentary committee. The PML-N said the presidential ordinance was a “backdoor legislation.”
Additional Planning Secretary Waqarul Hassan said a retired lieutenant general had been appointed chairman of the CPEC Authority and rules for the position have been formulated. “Appointment rules for the post of chief executive officer, who will be from the Civil Service, executive directors and members [of CPEC Authority] are in process of formulation. These officials will be appointed by the prime minister,” he added.
The CPEC Authority would serve as an interface with the Chinese side for identifying new areas of cooperation and projects, besides facilitation, coordination and monitoring of CPEC-related activities.
MNA Abdul Shakoor suggested that the chairman of the CPEC Authority should be someone who could be held accountable, MNA Agha Rafiullah proposed removal of Section 12 from the Ordinance.
Section 12 reads: “Except as expressly provided in the this Ordinance, no suit prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Authority, the chairperson, CEO, Executive Director, any Member, officer, members of staff, other employee, expert, consultant or adviser of the Authority in respect of anything done or intended to be done in good faith under this Ordinance, the rules or regulations.”