Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub has claimed that China has asked Pakistan to make necessary reforms for national economic progress and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“The Chinese minister, who visited Pakistan, has informed Pakistan that stability and security were important for CPEC. Such a statement explains that we have been asked to put your house in order,” he said in his speech during the NA session on Saturday.

He was referring to the statement of Liu Jianchao, China’s minister of the Central Committee of the International Department of the Communist Party of China. At the CPEC Pakistan-China Political Parties Forum, he said that internal stability was essential for Pakistan’s development.

According to Ayub, three things were essential for regional autonomy: national unity, a credible defence capability, and a strong economy.

In his speech, he also wondered about the Inter-Services Public Relations’s budget. “I had asked that the intelligence agencies, especially the ISI, should tell us where their budget is being spent.”

The opposition leader also criticised the performance of intelligence agencies, saying: “It should be asked why the intelligence agencies are failing. Instead of listening to the conversations of PTI founder Imran Khan in jail and installing cameras, they should work on the country’s stability. The economy of the country has deteriorated.”

Ayub said: “The budgets of intelligence agencies should be made public to determine if their funds are being spent on Vigos to target the supporters of the PTI party and journalists or directed towards combating terrorism.”

Over 100 PTI workers were arrested in Punjab during the party’s recent protests, he said and demanded action against the inspector general of police in Punjab.