Pakistan’s diplomatic debacle in China

Asad Mirza

Asad Mirza

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on linkedin
Pakistan’s PM Imran Khan had to attend an unusual virtual meeting with a Chinese minister, while himself being present in Beijing and further he got no Chinese assurance for a Chinese loan.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan was on a four-day visit to China, last week. Apparently the visit was billed as to attend the opening ceremony of the XXIV Winter Olympics in Beijing. But Imran Khan was accompanied with a huge delegation including Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Finance Minister, Planning Minister, Information Minister, National Security Advisor, Commerce Advisor and Special Assistant on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

China’s undiplomatic move

However, the Pakistan PM and his team were left red-faced when they were informed that one of the key meeting would be held in virtual mode, though the Pakistani delegation was present in Beijing.

The meeting with He Lifeng, chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and vice chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference was held virtually. This indeed was a completely undiplomatic step by China and was perhaps taken by it to show Pakistan and its leadership its place.

fatf Imran Khan Pakis

Imran Khan’s China visit comes at a time when Pakistan finds itself in a quagmire of issues. On one hand, Pakistan’s economy is turning from bad to worse, and on the other the security scenario within the country particularly in the restive Baluchistan region and Afghan border has added to Imran Khan’s troubles.

Pakistan’s economic woes

Pakistan is currently facing severe economic difficulties due to high inflation and no foreign aid. To ease the pain, Khan has requested for a $5 billion loan from China and pushed for increased trade and cooperation along the CPEC. The Corridor, an infrastructure project initiated in 2015, to promote trade and development, has so far performed below expectations. It also suffered a jolt when China stopped the work on the Dasu Hydropower Project after 9 Chinese nationals were killed in an explosion in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Launched in 2015, the CPEC is the flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It was expected to bring in massive investment from China, creating thousands of job opportunities for the people of Pakistan. However, Imran Khan’s regime has witnessed the stalling of the CPEC projects owing to the dire economic situation and non-cooperation of the bureaucracy due to the prevailing fear of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

PakiOther reports state that Pakistan plans to seek $5 billion from China and $1 billion each from Russia and Kazakhstan. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan has also been striving to get the suspended loan programme worth $6 billion revived from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

However, these loans are unlikely to help, as they will only add to Pakistan’s growing debt obligations. Beyond loans, China will likely promote its own agenda. Also it may do little to solve Pakistan’s long-term economic problems. Instead, it may burden it with public discontent and protests, as the government and the CPEC has so farbeen unable to deliver the promised benefits, particularly to the local populace in provinces where CPEC footprint is stronger.

Prior to his China visit Imran Khan had done his homework and tried to address the Chinese criticism of delays in CPEC projects. Khan had ordered the removal of 37 regulations hindering the pace of the CPEC projects, and reaffirmed his commitment to the timely completion of different projects.

CPEC

The ambitious CPEC connects China’s northwest Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region and the Gwadar port in the Baluchistan province of Pakistan, covering a distance of 3,000 kilometres and a range of new infrastructure projects. India has repeatedly protested to China over the CPEC as it is being laid through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Last year, a report by US-based international development research lab AidData had reported that a substantial chunk of Chinese development financing under the CPEC comprised loans which have been given at current commercial market interest rates as opposed to grants, which is a norm for bilateral infrastructural projects.

The Pakistani daily Dawn had earlier printed excerpts of the report, according to which Pakistan received about half of all Chinese development finance in the form of ‘export buyer’s credit’ and was to be used by Pakistan to pay Chinese implementation partners and purchase of equipment by them.

In its editorial in September last year Dawn had commented that the nature of Chinese financing for infrastructural schemes merits greater transparency for the projects executed in Pakistan since 2015. It further said that after coming to power Imran Khan’s government has also kept the matters under wraps, just as his predecessors had done.

In his meetings with the Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, PM Khan also briefed them on his geo-economics vision and the government’s policies for sustained growth, industrial development, agricultural modernisation and regional connectivity.

Indo-Pak

During his meetings PM Khan also highlighted that Indian atrocities in Indian Kashmir and said the persecution of minorities in India were a threat to regional peace and stability. He said that rapid militarisation of India was undermining regional stability;he also cited India’s aggressive behaviour and the prevailing Hindutva ideology as a threat to regional peace and a cause of lingering instability of the region.

Khan’s remarks came in an exclusive session with the heads and representatives of leading Chinese think tanks, universities and the Pakistan Study Centre in Beijing.

Regarding Afghanistan, both leaders acknowledged that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan would promote economic development and connectivity in the region and called on the international community to promptly assist the Afghan people in averting a humanitarian catastrophe.He recalled that Pakistan in the past had played a role in building bridges and remained ready to do so again.

Gateway of the Gwadar port in Southwest Pakistan’s Gwadar. The port is part of the CPEC. Photo courtesy: cnsphoto

During the visit, Pakistan also signed a new agreement with China to start the IInd phase of the $60 billion CPEC. Imran Khan showered praise on the controversial projects under CPEC, saying it has strategic significance for both the countries and delivering tangible benefits to the people. This is in contrast to his earlier views on CPEC before coming to power criticising its secret nature and investments.

In his statements in Beijing Khan also didn’t uttered a word about the Uyghur Muslims of Xinjiang province of China and the atrocities committed against them by Chinese authorities. Last year, in an interview he had said that the Pakistan government understands the Chinese policy in Xinjiang very well, which is for the betterment of its people and is more concerned about the situation on its borders i.e. Kashmir.

One fails to wonder why Khan who was a critic of OPEC earlier, is now endorsing it. Perhaps he doesn’t fathom that through CPEC China wants to manage a foothold in Afghanistan via Pakistan, as most of the Chinese companies, which are involved in developing CPEC are related to mining, infrastructure development, minerals and mine technology, and they might have plans on how to tap the mineral reserves of Afghanistan which is reported to be around $1.3 trillion.

_____________

Also Read:

75 years of hope and despair

Centre’s Opaque Auction Rules For Pulses Rip Off Govt Coffers, Help Millers Strike Rich

Need to amend laws like UAPA to provide for punishment for those who slap false cases

Global Arms Trade: Who are the real winners?

Why not 40 pc tickets for women in Punjab and elsewhere?

Punjab – How a deadly cocktail of Agri-Water-Energy nexus going to destroy it?

North Pole and the ideological conflict of RSS & Hindutva

Politics of Symbolism: Dalit Chief Ministers in India

 

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on linkedin
Asad Mirza

Asad Mirza

The author is a political commentator based in New Delhi. He was also associated with BBC Urdu Service and Khaleej Times of Dubai. He writes on Muslims, educational, international affairs, interfaith and current affairs.

Disclaimer : PunjabTodayTV.com and other platforms of the Punjab Today group strive to include views and opinions from across the entire spectrum, but by no means do we agree with everything we publish. Our efforts and editorial choices consistently underscore our authors’ right to the freedom of speech. However, it should be clear to all readers that individual authors are responsible for the information, ideas or opinions in their articles, and very often, these do not reflect the views of PunjabTodayTV.com or other platforms of the group. Punjab Today does not assume any responsibility or liability for the views of authors whose work appears here.

Punjab Today believes in serious, engaging, narrative journalism at a time when mainstream media houses seem to have given up on long-form writing and news television has blurred or altogether erased the lines between news and slapstick entertainment. We at Punjab Today believe that readers such as yourself appreciate cerebral journalism, and would like you to hold us against the best international industry standards. Brickbats are welcome even more than bouquets, though an occasional pat on the back is always encouraging. Good journalism can be a lifeline in these uncertain times worldwide. You can support us in myriad ways. To begin with, by spreading word about us and forwarding this reportage. Stay engaged.

— Team PT

Author Related Post
Related Post

Copyright © Punjab Today TV : All right Reserve 2016 - 2024