Earlier this month, Pakistani media reported that the country has decided to remove a $14-billion hydroelectricity project, the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, from the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is part of the Belt and Road Initiative. Reports out of Islamabad voiced the concerns of Muzammil Hussain, chairman of the Water and Power Development Authority, that the Chinese contractor, Gezhouba Water and Power Group Co. Ltd. (CGGC), has imposed extremely tough financing conditions that are not in the best interests of Pakistan.
The Chinese foreign ministry declined to comment on the controversy.