Why it doesn’t approve of the project
Conceptually speaking, characterisation of the CPEC as a game changer, an epoch making step towards eternal strategic partnership between China and Pakistan, a catalyst to economic revolution in Pakistan and an engine to propel shared regional economic prosperity, is beyond reproach. And no person in his right mind can dare to contest these claims on any rational basis. For a resource-constrained Pakistan, direct foreign investment of US$ 46 billion in the projects under the umbrella of CPEC, undoubtedly presents a best ever chance in regards to nullifying the effects of the missed opportunities of the past, embarking on the path of a sustained economic growth and changing the economic profile of the country geared to equitable sharing of the gains by all the federating units and the masses. For China also the CPEC is a pivot of its strategy to revive the old Silk Road and gaining easy access to the Arabian Sea for expanding its commercial interests globally. It certainly promises a win-win situation for both the countries and the entire region.
But unfortunately this envisaged economic bonanza is an eyesore for some external and internal enemies of the country who are striving hard to sabotage its implementation. The remarks by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that certain politician could not digest the country’s magnificent development through CPEC and that it was also irritating for some external forces, was reflective of this irrefutable reality. India, unfortunately, has failed to respond to positive overtures by the present government for beginning a new chapter of amity between the two countries and peaceful resolution of the disputes between them. It continues on the path of confrontation wedded to undermining interests of Pakistan by all means.
According to media reports, a special desk has been created in RAW to undermine and thwart the implementation of the CPEC and the intelligence agencies of Pakistan have gathered authentic information to this effect. The RAW Chief who reports directly to the Indian Prime Minister is personally supervising the venture. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is visiting China, reportedly expressed concern over China’s 46$ billion investment in Pakistan during his meeting with the Chinese President. The Indian position is that the Corridor would be passing through a disputed territory (Gigit-Baltistan). India, it may be pointed out, had also raised the same argument with Asian Development Bank who was one of the financiers of the Bhasha-Diamir Dam and the Bank consequently had shown some reluctance in fulfilling its commitments after the Indian objections.
India never lets go any opportunity to harm Pakistan. RAW has been backing and sponsoring insurgency in Balochistan and cross-border terrorism using Afghan territory. The nexus between RAW, TTP and Karzai government is a well established fact. RAW has established sanctuaries and training camps for the terrorists on the Afghan soil. During their recent visit to Afghanistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and COAS General Raheel Sharif had raised this issue with the Afghan leadership and also provided authentic proof of RAW links with Bloch separatists and Maulvi Fazlullah of TTP. Pakistan has rightly asked the Afghan government to abolish these camps which are being used by RAW to destabilise Balochistan and for carrying out and sponsoring of acts of terrorism throughout Pakistan. It is hoped that in view of the cooperative relations between the two countries and their resolve to fight the menace of terrorism collectively, the Afghan government would make sincere efforts to eliminate the RAW factor from the equation and not allow its territory to be used for acts of sabotage against Pakistan.
The modus operandi of RAW for sabotaging CPEC seems to exacerbate the security situation in Pakistan through acts of terrorism and consequently the creation of an ambience of despondency among the masses. The renewed spate of acts of terrorism since the signing of agreements between China and Pakistan during the visit of Chinese President to Pakistan recently, is a strong pointer towards that direction. The massacre of the members of Ismaili community in Karachi on the day when the government had invited the entire political leadership for a briefing on the CPEC, was not just a coincidence but a well thought out operation to create security concerns among the people as well as the Chinese leadership about the feasibility of implementing the proposed projects. All this coinciding with Modi’s visit to China and his raising the issue with Chinese leaders seem a link in the same chain.
Pakistan has done well by formally taking up the issue with the Afghan government. However in view of the solid evidence that Pakistan has about Indian involvement in acts of terrorism in Pakistan, it was perhaps an appropriate time to raise the issue at all the available international forums to sensitise the world community on the issue and unmask the real face of India. A strong message also needs to be conveyed to the Indians through diplomatic channels as well as through intelligence networks that if the Indians did not refrain from their anti-Pakistan activities it could have a severe boomerang effect.
Perhaps it would also be a good idea to share this information with our Chinese friends and take them into confidence regarding measures designed to counter anti-CPEC campaign. There are no two opinions about the fact that the timely implementation of CPEC basket projects and maintaining their operational safety would mainly depend on improvement of security situation in the country. The government would have to redouble its efforts on all fronts to eliminate the menace of terrorism and the involvement of the foreign elements in destabilising the country.
On the internal front also there are some detractors of the CPEC out to politicise the issue by creating doubts about the benefits of the CPEC going mainly to Punjab and an alleged change in the original route of the Corridor. It was a good move on the part of the government to take the entire political leadership into confidence and brief them on the rationale behind CPEC, Pakistan’s stake in the venture and the hard facts to allay the fears and apprehensions of the opponents of the undertaking. The presentation given by the Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal was exhaustive, eloquent and logical exposition of all the related issues that adequately addressed all the apprehensions expressed by different circles. It was encouraging to see the major political parties expressing unqualified support for CPEC and even PTI, the staunchest adversary of the government in the political arena, terming the Corridor a national project and congratulating the government on the progress made so far. The government responding to a proposal presented ruing the briefing has also announced to form an oversight committee of the members of the parliament to address reservations regarding CPEC.
The CPEC for sure is a national undertaking deserving national ownership in view of its envisaged impact on our economic future and the timeline (2014-2030) for implementation of the projects. The political leadership of the country except some cynical elements has shown commendable political maturity in putting their weight behind CPEC. Pakistan also needs the same spirit and understanding among them to tackle other debilitating challenges facing the country.
