CPEC and emerging security irritants
The new incumbent government of Pakistan and its policy makers are trying their best to initiate China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Phase-II in the country which would further strengthen Pak-China bilateral relations in diverse sector of economy, industrialization, energy production, social development, health capacity building mechanism, development of special economic zones, agriculture, and last but not least, infrastructure development in the country.
However, their efforts have confronted with very serious snags. Deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan and planned targeting/killings of Chinese people in Pakistan has become an eye-opener for the government, its agencies, paramilitary forces and establishment which needs to be rectified as soon as possible.
In this connection, TTP sponsored and scattered acts of terrorism in different parts of the country have raised serious security concerns.
Allegedly secret but holy alliance of the TTP and Taliban have changed the security equation that is why stakeholders of both countries are now taking all possible counter measures to cope this sponsored targeting killings of Chinese people and workers at various projects of the CPEC.
Moreover, increasing social unrest among the different factions of the society and communities in Balochistan needs to be taken seriously.
Robust development of strategic Gawdar Seaport has direct correlation with the wellbeing of local people and communities alike.
The most recent visit of the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Quetta is right policy initiative in right direction.
Resolution of genuine concerns of locals needs to be tackled as economic simulation not security imperative.
Furthermore, increasing political divide and impassable heat in the country is not a good omen for the socio-economic development and the easy and smooth sailing of the CPEC projects especially early initiation of its phase-II.
Political unity not widening division is need of the hour. There is an urgent need to fix the declining trust deficits among different stakeholders of both countries in terms of deferred payments, security parameters, allocation of funds, restart of derailed projects, and early start of CPEC Phase-II in the country.
Additionally, there is an urgent need to start high level mutual policy and political consultations on the issue of slow development of the CPEC in special economic zones in the country.
Innovative scheme of arrangements, persuasion of befitting financial modules, suitable public-private simulations, channelization of domestic banking industry and last but not least, removal of undue bureaucratic impediments should be mantra of the government.
The government of China and its foreign ministry appreciated Pakistani top leadership’s show of solidarity with China over the killing of Chinese citizens in Karachi which vividly reflected that the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between China and Pakistan is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and any attempt to undermine mutual trust and cooperation is doomed to fail.
In this regard, the spokesperson said that Beijing would work with Islamabad to get to the bottom of the truth, bring the perpetrators to justice, and give a satisfactory explanation and answer to the people of the two countries.
According to spokesperson China paid great attention to Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening the security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions.
He pledged to work with Pakistan to ensure the smooth operation of cooperation in a safe manner and prevent such incidents from happening again.
Unfortunately, on April 26, three Chinese teachers of Confucius Institute at Karachi University and their driver were killed when their shuttle van was hit by a suicide attack.
Soon after the incident, PM Shehbaz visited the Chinese embassy in Islamabad and met China’s acting Ambassador Pang Chunxue to convey his condolences.
In this direction, he immediately instructed the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and assured the government would spare no efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and hold them accountable Moreover, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal asked the Ministry of Interior to ensure a security review meeting should be held every month on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
While chagrining a meeting, the minister gave the direction while to review the security progress on CPEC projects.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary Ministry of Interior, the Secretary Ministry of Infor¬mation and other relevant stakeholders.
The Minister emphasised the need to build a safe and secure environment for CPEC and to effectively tackle security problems pertaining to state and non-state actors.
The minister termed the CPEC game changer which would enable Pakistan to become an industrial economy.
It is unfortunate that the momentum of 2013-18 couldn’t be sustained, said the Minister. He also expressed concern that Pakistan’s side of CPEC’s joint working group on security has not been meeting frequently.
He directed the Ministry of Interior to regularly convene its meetings on a monthly basis. He added that without a coordinated effort, there can be gaps which must be filled.
The minister Iqbal upheld the role of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) which should be further streamlined and systematized in accordance with their established role and objectives in order to provide the government with an in-depth assessment of security challenges rooted in the country’s socioeconomic conditions.
He suggested that the government should follow holistic socio-economic and geopolitical policies to address socio-economic grievances of the people that may, if left unaddressed, translate into security challenges.
To conclude, changing socio-economic partnerships, proprietorships and problems, geopolitical encroachments and geostrategic conflict realities, there is an urgent need to completely transform security system of the Chinese citizens, workers and teachers in the country.
Foolproof and integrated security module is need of the hour. Red lines in human security parameters should be plugged in as soon as possible.
Drastic shift in gender oriented terrorism must be studied as a new emerging potential security threat through chalking out of a comprehensive security policy and road map.
It is suggested that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would review security arrangements for the Chinese nationals working in Pakistan on regular basis.
In view of potential threats from within and outside the country being faced by the CPEC and other joint ventures between the two countries, the premier would assess all the mechanisms earlier devised for ensuring the security of the Chinese nationals and the new plan being devised by the planning and interior ministries.
The inputs of the military establishment being the most important security stakeholder should also be included and preferred.
There is an urgent need to re-approach the country heads of all the Chinese companies working in the country to seek their input in security and other arrangements.
Engagement of all the provinces especially the Balochistan government, for the provision of the security in Gwadar should be a foremost priority of the incumbent government.
It is bitter reality that mere condolence will not dissuade series of conspiracies but constant spirits of cooperation, coordination and collaboration among all the stakeholders of both the countries is the need of the hour.
—The writer is Director, the Centre for South Asia & International Studies Islamabad & regional expert, China, CPEC & BRI.
