BEIJING: Pakistan’s general election is less than a week away, and allrelevant parties are straining every nerve to promote their politicalideas, among which Islamabad’s relationship with Beijing is top on theagenda.
The prospects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship ofChina’s Belt and Road initiative, under the next government, has triggeredwidespread speculation amid West’s repeated hype of China’s “debt traps,”says a report published in a Chinese newspaper, the Global Times.
Beyond doubt, Beijing expects a higher degree of engagement by the newPakistani government in the CPEC, but Islamabad’s domestic affairs and thecountry’s choice of political path is entirely determined by the Pakistanipeople, and Beijing has no intention to interfere. While China is fullyprepared for potential difficulties in pushing forward the Belt and Roadinitiative, the country is more willing to cooperate with regionalcountries for mutually beneficial results.
Teaching one to fish is better than giving him fish. Apart from directinvestment, China focuses more on the need to bring modern managementexperience and technical skills to Pakistan.
According to a report jointly issued by the Association of CharteredCertified Accountants Pakistan and the Pakistan-China Institute, the CPEChas created 60,000 jobs for local people since 2015 and would provide morethan 800,000 new jobs in different sectors by 2030. The report alsoapproved China’s efforts in bringing technical know-how and skills toPakistan “that can be customized to meet local needs.”
Moreover, Beijing and Islamabad have seen intense high-level communicationthese years. This will help deepen mutual trust between the two countries,a prerequisite to win-win cooperation. Under the Belt and Road initiative,an increasing number of investors from China and other countries are comingto Pakistan for business opportunities, laying the basis for the country’ssustainable development.
Indeed, Pakistan is still perplexed by a fragile economy and turbulentpolitics. An overnight success is unrealistic in the country’s development,and it will take time for Pakistan to progress and gradually realizeeconomic prosperity and political stability. China, with its Belt and Roadinitiative, is providing Pakistan with opportunities to develop.
What about Western countries? Apart from pointing an accusing finger atChina, they act nonchalantly toward Pakistan’s developmental needs. Theiraid to Pakistan and other less developed countries often has conditionsattached, which have later become major hindrances to these countries’development.
Many problems of Pakistan are rooted in its colonial history. For instance,British colonization is the direct cause of Pakistan’s territorialdisputes, which have dragged the country into relentless politicaltensions. A new developmental path is the only solution to these problems.
China’s contributions to Pakistan are acknowledged by local people, and webelieve Pakistani politicians have the wisdom to properly handle CPECprojects and the country’s ties with China for the well-being of the region.