ACCORDING to reliable diplomatic sources, President Asif Ali Zardari is going to visit China very soon. Hopefully it would further strengthen bilateral relations between two ironclad brothers and would further enhance strategic importance of the CPEC Phase-2. President Zardari will also visit Shanghai Import & Export Expo and try to convince the international and the Chinese investors to invest in Pakistan in the diverse sectors of economy mainly, infrastructure development, agriculture, green technologies, industries and last but not least digitalization.
It seems that ongoing western power politics and trade war in Asia Pacific and around the globe is now badly hurting Pakistan and its vested interest. The enemies of humanity, regional peace, stability and development are directly attacking the China, Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC) and targeting the Chinese workers and projects in the country leaving bad taste for both the countries which are now facing awkward times. Feelings are now high and temperaments are melting, showcasing increasing pressure of survival, safety, security and systematic approval, execution, implementation and completion of the CPEC projects in the country.
Undoubtedly safety and security has been the mantra of every government in Pakistan, trying their best to safeguard the lives and collaterals of the Chinese, our strategic partners of development and better life, however the hidden agenda of the regional countries against China is overshadowing sincere efforts of the policy makers. All stakeholders agreed to provide flawless security arrangements to the Chinese and their projects in the country. Our security forces and intelligence agencies are shedding their blood and lives to protect their existence and operations in the country but unfortunately, the genie of terrorism is haunting the Chinese and giving bad names to us.
The time has come to jointly work for the eradication of terrorism and take decisive actions against all the terrorist groups in the country. There should not be any half measure but full-fledged military and intelligence based operations to control the menace of terrorism creating economic & investment uncertainties, diplomatic uneasiness and political embarrassments for the country. Apparently it has become one of the biggest stigmas to attract more and more inflow of foreign direct investment in the country thus acting as anti-development agent spoiling peace, safety and security of the Chinese, the biggest investors in the country. Even the SIFC is feeling the heat and is in the line of fire because of deteriorating law & order situation in the country especially in Gwadar, Balochistan, KP and Southern Punjab which must be improved.
Unfortunately, the serious issues of safety and security are delaying the completion of the CPEC projects causing multiplier effects on our economy, society and industrial growth. Thus policy makers and all stakeholders should chalk out a holistic and comprehensive policy to overcome these burning hotspots disturbing equilibrium of Pak-China friendship and fraternity. During the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Islamabad the officials of China and Pakistan thoroughly discussed safety, security and systematic arrangements of the Chinese workers and the CPEC projects in the country. The Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang personally met with COAS General Asim, Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Interior Minister Moshin Naqvi and other related ministers to pursue a holistic and comprehensive road map for a hybrid security mechanism between two countries which should be implemented as soon as possible.
The formation of a Joint Security Company, Joint Policing System, Integrated Information Sharing against terrorism and terrorist groups, provision of bulletproof vehicles, container scanners, electronic security apparatus along with the possibility of joint training of counter terrorism, deployment of Artificial Intelligence technologies, and the last but not the least, usage of drone surveillance systems/options should also be followed and used to eliminate the seeds and souls of terrorism from the country. The Pakistani side has strong evidence of the involvement of Afghan Taliban in providing and supporting various terrorist factions of the TTP, TTA, BLA and MB to attack within the territories of Pakistan mainly in KP and Balochistan which should be shared with the Chinese side to use their leverage with Taliban to stop these deadly activities in Pakistan and ultimately the Chinese and their projects would be protected. The Pakistani side should brief about the emerging and sponsored alliance of the TTP, BLA, MB, Islamic State Khorasan, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and the Baloch Revolutionary Army by India. The concrete evidence of the RAW being the mastermind behind these terrorist operations, seeking to destabilize Pakistan by merging the TTP and BLA and establishing terror havens within the country mainly in KP, Balochistan, Southern Punjab etc. should also be shared with the Chinese counterpart. In summary, the Pakistani side should also emphasize on the strategic importance of the ongoing Azm-e-Istehkam eradicating terrorism and terrorist groups from the country.
The Pakistani side has agreed to increase security for Chinese workers. However, it seems that there is growing disagreement on the execution and implementation and formation of a joint security company and joint policing system for the safety, security of the Chinese workers and the CPEC projects which must be removed as soon as possible ensuring optimal security in the country. The emergence of the Zainabiyoun Brigade, a Shia militia composed of Pakistani volunteers is another potential security threat which must be tackled as soon as possible. It has been involved in the recent clashes in Kurram. The Brigade has been active in the region due to its affiliation with Iran and its support for the Shia community. On the other hand, the Chinese side should fulfil its pledges to provide bulletproof vehicles and firefighting trucks ensuring further safety and security of the Chinese workers and projects in the country. By all means, China is willing to help Pakistan strengthen its counterterrorism capacity and create a safe environment for bilateral cooperation; however, emerging trends of disconnection, discomfort, and dissatisfaction should be avoided and both sides should think beyond personal taboos and work as a joint team to eradicate terrorism.
The foreign office of Pakistan should take extra care to remove all barriers and work for further strengthening of bilateral relations instead of starting any blame-game sabotaging the real essence of acquaintance, confidence, trust and productivity between two brothers in the days to come. Since stakes are very high, so sanity should prevail from both sides. No more public rebuff should be order of the day. The Chinese ambassador Jiang’s stance that Pakistan should severely punish the perpetrators and crack down on all anti-China terrorist groups should also be respected accordingly.
—The writer is President, Pak-China Corridor of Knowledge, Executive Director, CSAIS, regional expert: China, CPEC & BRI.
