Looking closer
Coming in the backdrop of phenomenal economic progress of China, and the global economic recession of 2008, the Belt and Road initiative of the Chinese President Xi Jin Ping is aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting all of Asia with Europe and Africa along ancient trade routes. It is not merely the revival of the ancient silk route for trade but the initiative envisages a participatory effort for economic progress of the countries associated with the initiative as well as development of necessary infrastructure in those countries to spur process of a sustained economic development. This visionary move by the Chinese leadership is probably the biggest ever economic Plan designed to share fruits of economic development at the global level.
At a symposium held in Beijing recently to review progress on the initiative, it was revealed that more than 100 countries and international organisations have so far joined the Road and Belt initiative, 30 countries have formally signed agreements with China to build Belt and Road and more than 20 countries have entered into collaboration to promote industrial development. President Xi Jin Ping emphasising the need for steady advance of Road and Belt initiative said “The Belt and Road can be seen as an opportunity to promote transnational interconnection, improve trade and investment cooperation, advance cooperation in international capacity and equipment manufacturing to rebalance and stabilise the world economy.”
That indicates China’s abiding commitment to realise the objectives of the Belt and Road initiative. CPEC is one of the most important components of this initiative. Both China and Pakistan, rightly view it as a harbinger of transformational change in the region and beyond as well as a catalyst to an exponential increase in the economic relations between them which has the potential to build regional linkages for shared economic prosperity. Both are also committed and striving hard to see its completion on time. China of course would greatly benefit from the implementation of the project but the impact on Pakistan’s economy on perennial basis will be absolutely phenomenal. An investment of $ 42 billion in energy and infrastructure projects that will link Kashghar with Gawadar are likely to revolutionise economic profile of Pakistan and making it a hub of economic activity in the region, with central Asian states and possibly Russia also using Gawadar for their commercial interests. This project has immortalised the already existing exemplary friendship and economic cooperation between the two countries.
It is probably the likely economic impact of the CPEC on Pakistan and the region that is not tolerable for some regional as well as international powers and they are trying their best to sabotage it. The spate of recent acts of terrorism, particularly in Balochistan is undoubtedly a foreign sponsored crime designed to sabotage CPEC,, as rightly pointed out by the President, Prime Minister and the COAS. The arrest of the Indian navy officer Bhushan in Balochistan and his confessions are irrefutable evidence of Indian designs in regards to CPEC and fomenting instability in Pakistan. Reportedly a special cell has been created in RAW for the purpose. The statement of the Indian Prime Minister Modi, who is an avowed enemy of CPEC, in regards to alleged human rights violations in Balochistan also tells the whole story in this regard and the intentions of our neighbor not to let go any opportunity to harm Pakistan.
However the civil and military leadership in Pakistan are firmly committed to have the CPEC implemented at any cost. They are intensely aware of the benefits that would accrue to Pakistan with its completion and the prospects of economic progress of the country in the future. Notwithstanding some bickering and politicking by certain political elements and detractors of the project, it enjoys national ownership, which is a good augury in regards to its implementation. The Army has taken upon itself to ensure security of the infrastructure being developed under CPEC, to protect the Chinese engineers working on the CPEC projects and all installations at Gawadar. A special security division comprising 15,000 personnel has been raised for the purpose. The government and military establishment have also stepped up the operation against the terrorists and their facilitators in the country by initiating a combing operation which has already starting paying dividends. A number of people have already been arrested in different parts of the country.
Meanwhile, the work on first batch of CPEC projects including infrastructure and energy is already in full swing and it is believed that they would be completed by the end of 2017-18. The work on the western route is progressing satisfactorily. The FWO which has been assigned the task of building the western route portion in Balochistan has already completed 870 KMs of the route and the rest is likely to be completed by the end of the year. Work on vocational training institutions at Gawadar is nearing completion. These institutions will impart technical training to the local youth in different trades to enhance their chance of employability in the projects under CPEC and other related ventures. A number of health facilities and water supply schemes are also nearing completion at Gawadar. The construction of international Airport at Gawadar and East Bay Expressway in Gawadar are in advanced stage of approval by China. The government is also giving top priority to the completion of energy projects not only to tide over the existing energy crisis in the country but also to generate enough energy to meet energy needs of the industrial zones to be established along CPEC routes. The foregoing facts effectively neutralise the propaganda by some vested interests that the government is giving top priority to the eastern route and not doing anything about the western route.
These elements fail to realise that the CPEC has a timeline of 2030 and the projects under it would be implemented in different phases. The initiative would start accruing benefits to all the regions of the country when all the projects under it are fully implemented. Raising objections and indulging in politicking pre-maturely is neither desirable nor in the interests of the country. In view of the attempts by the external forces to undermine the initiative, we need complete national unity and harmony as far as CPEC is concerned.