CPEC Authority Act 2021

CHINA PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR AUTHORITY ACT, 2021   The China Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority Act, 2021: Fostering Economic Transformation   The China Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority Act, 2021, stands as a pivotal piece of legislation in Pakistan’s recent history. Established to propel the ambitious China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project forward, this Act marks a crucial step in the country’s quest for economic revitalization and regional connectivity.   Prior to this Act, CPEC implementation faced challenges due to its complex, multi-faceted nature. Inter-provincial and inter-ministerial coordination proved cumbersome, hindering project progress and impacting the initiative’s overall effectiveness. Recognizing these obstacles, the 2021 Act established the dedicated China Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority. This independent body empowered with comprehensive planning, facilitating, coordinating, monitoring, and evaluation responsibilities streamlined CPEC execution.   Within Pakistan, the Act’s impact is multifold. Improved inter-departmental collaboration has accelerated project timelines and enhanced transparency. The Authority’s research, policy formulation, and narrative building efforts have fostered widespread public understanding and support for CPEC. Furthermore, the Act prioritizes local investments and job creation, ensuring tangible benefits for Pakistani citizens. While challenges remain, the 2021 Act provides a robust framework for navigating them and maximizing CPEC’s potential to transform Pakistan’s economic landscape. CONTENTS Short title, extent and commencement. Definitions. CHAPTER II ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AUTHORITY Establishment of the Authority. Powers and Functions of the Authority. CHAPTER III MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE AUTHORITY Composition of the Authority. Appointment of the Chairperson. Appointment of the Members. Executive Director Operations. Executive Director Research. Removal or Resignation of Chairperson, Executive Directors and Members. Committees and sub-committees. Meetings of the Authority. Conflict of Interest. China Pakistan Economic Corridor Business Council. CHAPTER IV BUDGET, FINANCE AND AUDIT China Pakistan Economic Corridor Fund. Budget, Finance and Accounts. Audit. Annual Report. CHAPTER V MISCELLANEOUS Delegation of Powers. Public servants. Chairperson, etc. not to be civil servants. Confidential Information. Indemnity. Power to make rules Power to make regulations. Overriding effect. Savings. Power to remove difficulties. CHINA PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR AUTHORITY ACT, 2021 ACT NO. V OF 2021 [4 th June, 2021] An Act to provide for the establishment of China Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority WHEREAS it is expedient to establish the China Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority for the purposes hereinafter appearing and to provide for matters connected therewith and ancillary thereto; It is hereby enacted as follows:— CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY Short title, extent and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the China Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority Act, 2021. (2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan. (3) It shall come into force at once. Definitions.—In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context.— (i) “Authority” means the China Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority established under section 3; (ii) “Budget Committee” means the committee as provided under sub-section (4) of section 16; (iii) “Chairperson” means the chairperson of the Authority appointed under section 6, and includes any person performing for the time being the functions of the Chairperson; (iv) “Executive Director Operations” means the Executive Director Operations appointed under section 8; (v) “Executive Director Research” means the Executive Director Research appointed under section 9; (vi) “Government” means the Federal Government; (vii) “Joint Cooperation Committee” means the Committee jointly headed by the Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Vice Chairperson of the National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China; (viii) “Joint Working Group” means the working group constituted and working under the Joint Cooperation Committee; (ix) “Member” means a Member of the Authority appointed under section 7 and shall include the Chairperson, Executive Director Operations and Executive Director Research; (x) “misconduct” means misconduct as defined in the rules made pursuant to the Civil Servants Act, 1973 (Act LXXI of 1973); (xi) “Principal Accounting Officer” shall mean the person specified in sub-section (3) of section 16; (xii) “record” includes an account, book, return, statement, document, report, chart, table, diagram, form, survey, image, invoice, letter, map, agreement, memorandum, plan, voucher, financial and non- financial information, and anything containing information, whether in writing, digital or in electronic form or represented or reproduced by any other means, and recording of details of electronic data processing systems and programs to illustrate what the systems and programs do and how they operate; (xiii) “regulations” means the regulations made under section 25 of this Act; and (xiv) “rules” means the rules made under section 24 of this Act. CHAPTER II ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AUTHORITY Establishment of the Authority.—(1) The Government shall, by notification in the official Gazette, establish an authority to be known as the China Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority, for carrying out the purposes of this Act. (2) The Authority shall carry out its functions, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, and shall report to the Prime Minister through its Division concerned. (3) The Authority shall be a body corporate, having perpetual succession and a common seal, with power to enter into contracts within its budgetary allocation following all the applicable rules and regulations, acquire or dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and may, by its name, sue or be sued. (4) The head office of the Authority shall be at Islamabad. Powers and Functions of the Authority.—(1) In addition to such other powers and functions as may be assigned under this Act, the Authority shall be responsible for planning, facilitating, coordinating, enforcing, monitoring, and evaluating the smooth implementation of all activities related to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives of Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Outline of the Long Term Plan of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor signed in Beijing on the 8th day of November 2014, as well as decisions taken, from time to time, at meetings of the Joint Cooperation Committee: Provided that the function of planning shall follow the existing arrangement being adopted by the Planning Commission: Provided