Dr Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan
China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC) is “culmination” of positive, productive and “participatory” regionalism despite western persistent propaganda of labelling it widespread of Chinese domination. It is a “masterpiece” of political wisdom and strategic commitment of both the countries despite, planned dissemination of falsehood “wish-list” of the west so called superior political means of engagements.
It is indeed a new “chapter” of unanimous political consensus to achieve desired goals of greater socio-economic prosperity, regional integration and food & energy connectivity to convert miseries into befitting propositions, tears into happiness and above all building new “China Wall” of greater socio-economic harmony, geopolitical consensus and geostrategic trustworthiness despite US, India, Israel, EU and many other western countries unscientific and biased approach towards the BRI and CPEC.
Rapidly changing world as well as region reconfirms that economic “sustainability” and political stability are the “cornerstones” of national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Economic self-reliance paves the way of modernization and smarter society.
CPEC is the “ladder” of self-reliance, acceleration of economic productivity, massive industrialization and last but not the least, sustainability. Undoubtedly, it catalysts new job generation, healthy business activities, brightens prospects of investment, joint ventures, formation of economic free zones, development of seaports, overhauling of railways and, above all, substantial “contribution” in the overall GDP of Pakistan.
Western countries and especially the US have been indulged in complicated “covert” schemes to “sabotage” peaceful development orientation of the CPEC. In this regard, India’s secret agency RAW and Afghanistan’s NDS have been pouring all resources and “inhuman” tactics to damage diversified but integrated projects of the CPEC in the country.
On the other hand, so-called western civilized world has been trying to pollute hearts and souls of people about the CPEC through its own style, consisting of group of NGOs, bunch of monetary agencies, clubs of intellectuals and communities of liberals and last but not least, likeminded media houses in the country. Unfortunately, both succeeded to produce some kinds of disturbance in the ongoing channels of productivity, pace and implementation in the spheres of national politics.
But thanks ultimately “sanity” prevailed and all “conspiracy” theories and “clandestine” actions of the enemies of humanity, survival, peace, harmony, co-existence, development, stability and sustainability were “chastened”. Now we are entering into CPEC’s phase-II with more clarity of purpose, diversification of resources/energy mix with inclusion of social sector with utmost political consensus. Even all mainstream political parties support CPEC.
Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mehmood Qureshi, in his very recent visit to China, discussed latest emerging trends in the region and beyond. As usual, China supported Pakistan’s balanced approach and independent path of development based on its national conditions, striving for a better external security environment and playing a more constructive role in international and regional affairs which has produced hue and cry in Indian media.
In a joint statement, both sides reviewed bilateral ties, including CPEC, regional and international issues as well as how to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly its economic fallout.
The Chinese side echoed that Pakistan and China are iron brothers and Pakistan remains China’s strategic partner in the region and that China firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding its territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. It vividly reflects Pakistan’s strong commitment towards the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its flagship program CPEC irrespective of the regional enmity and international pressure.
The two countries underscored that CPEC has entered the new phase of high-quality development, and has played and will continue to play an important role in supporting Pakistan to overcome the impact of Covid-19 and achieve greater development.
It is decided that sides will continue to firmly advance the construction of CPEC, ensure in-time completion of those projects under construction, focus on economic and social development, job creation and improvement of people’s livelihood, and further strengthen cooperation in special economic zones, industrial relocation, science and technology, medical and health, human resources training, poverty alleviation and agriculture etc with the aim to continuously unleash the great potential of CPEC to make it a hub of regional connectivity.
The two sides expressed satisfaction on agreements pertaining to recent mega energy projects and looked forward to convening the 10th JCC meeting at the earliest possible to promote CPEC to make positive contribution to the high-quality construction of the BRI. Furthermore, Pakistan and China restated the principle of political consultation/consensus, joint contribution and shared benefits in building CPEC, and welcomed the international community to join the CPEC construction on the basis of consensus to achieve shared development.
President of Pakistan Arif Alvi, in his annual joint session address to parliament, thanked the Chinese leadership for its unconditional political and persistent socio-economic support in terms of ongoing CPEC, combating against deadly COVID-19, national drive to eradicate onslaught of locust on crops and extended science and technological cooperation between both the countries. Even, in its most recent televised interview Prime Minister Imran Khan appreciated strategic importance of the CPEC which is making miracles of changing lives of local population, industrial resolution, formation of economic paradise (free economic zones), development of alternative channels of power generation and last but not the least rigorous development of blue economy through seaports etc in the country. Premier Khan rightly attached future of Pakistan with the successful implementation and completion of CPEC projects in the fields of social development, agriculture, health, tourism, housing, industries, energy generation and formation of economic free zones.
Being prominent regional expert of the CPEC & BRI I, suggest that inclusion of private sectors of both the countries is must for its easy and smooth sailing in the days to come. Both sides should try to pursue innovative means of financing to minimize the chances of any deadlock in the future in this regard recently formed Business Council may play an important role.
Proper channelization of domestic banking industry resources may be another available option to accelerate pace of the different projects of the CPEC. In the field of social development, utmost efforts should be made to follow Chinese Model of Community Development (CMCD) which is indeed positive and participatory. In health, policy makers should focus on innovation, research and use of artificial intelligence technologies to eradicate diseases from the country. Capacity building mechanism and transfer of technology is the need of the hour.
