Building consensus on CPEC

Arab News
MUHAMMAD WAQAS
Last year in May, hectic efforts of the Sharif government finally bore fruit when all major political parties in Pakistan reached a consensus over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Construction of its western route was announced as a priority, the CPEC was portrayed as a symbol of China’s belief in its friendly neighbor and there was much hype about how Pakistan’s economic future was all set to change forever.
Everything seemed to be sorted, but then soon there was more political noise and calls to reach a consensus on finer details regarding issues of such national interest.
While there are no disagreements that the project will spur economic development in the country, the main issue of contention is the corridor’s route and doubts that all provinces will not receive their fair share of its benefits. In another recently held All Parties’ Conference (APC), a new institutional framework was developed to consult all provincial powers for development of infrastructure, industrial parks and other areas under the $46 billion mega project. However, the fate of this APC is likely to be the same as previous one — too much talk, too little action.
Despite repeated reassurances from the government, it has failed to win unconditional backing from all provincial stakeholders for the project in APCs. Governments of smaller provinces claim that the federal government is showing a clandestine attitude and not sharing full details of the project with them. As a result, their concerns remain unaddressed and an air of uncertainty surrounds the CPEC. Perhaps, it is about time that the CPEC is conclusively discussed in the Parliament in true spirit of democracy to gauge the public sentiment. This will provide all critics an opportunity to present facts and figures to clarify their stance and, if justified, seek appropriate action from the lawmakers.
To the frustration of China and eagerly looking global community, such is the nature of dirty politics in Pakistan. Even projects that are of prime importance to Pakistan from economic and strategic point of view, hit the snags because they become politicized and used as a tool to fuel ethnic divisions within the country. Clearly irked by the smear campaign, China has called for creation of a “favorable environment” for this game-changing project so that both countries can enjoy tangible benefits from it.
Besides the political parties, China is closely working with Pakistan’s armed forces on the CPEC project to ensure that all security challenges in its construction and operation are countered. Considering how the project has become a political issue in the country, it will not be surprising if the armed forces intervene and seek a greater role in the project to protect national interests. After all, the men in uniform are already pulling strings of the country’s domestic security and foreign affairs policy. This scenario would be embarrassing for the local political parties and show their ineptness at leading affairs of the country.
All stakeholders must work together to depoliticize this project and ensure its timely completion so that economic opportunities may trickle down to the common man. Failure to grab the unique and historic opportunity presented by CPEC would mean Pakistan is its own biggest enemy and not willing to succeed as a nation.