Syeda Mazhar
There are two angels to the benefits that CPEC has brought in Pakistan. The tangible of course is the $50 billion investment, infrastructural and related opportunities for businesses. The intangible is the augmentation in Brand Pakistan, the close ties with China and the biggest of course is the ensuing global confidence in Pakistan as an investment opportunity. Recognizing the progress to curb security threats and sustaining political stability despite the waves of democratic movements. The biggest proof of the success comes not only in the form of plethora of projects, job opportunities and the stock exchange touching new highs of 49,876 points, mostly contributed by 40% equity purchase of a Chinese consortium. Germany recently expressed interest in joining CPEC. Ambassador to Pakistan Ina Lapel along with German Defense Attache’ Colonel Klaus Wilhelm recently met up with Pakistani counterparts and expressed interest in “cooperation in multiple areas including human resource development, security, trade and defense”. In addition to this there is also an explicit interest of Chinese in Russians joining the project. The biggest endorsement of CPEC though comes from the least likely source. It seems to be like school again where jealousy is prompting the bully to take all the steps in the wrong direction. Something similar comes in the form of Indian media’s foray into generation of disinformation and rants against CPEC.
The atrocities in Kashmir and other Indian states and echoes of Khalistan, as well as the ongoing currency crisis is attempted to be drowned into looking elsewhere. Fissures in the moral fiber of the “intellectual elite” Indian society are visible, every two minutes an Indian woman is victim to a crime, a rape committed every 15 minutes, sadly Mr. Modi’s regime cannot pin this pandemic on Pakistan. With so many ongoing problems the biggest on the Indian list seems to be progress in Pakistan hence CPEC. One of the columnists recently paved way for Indian admission in politically skewing Afghanistan against Pakistan by quoting senator Chuck Hagel, “India has been using Afghanistan as a second front against Pakistan. It has, over the years, financed problems for Pakistan on that side of the border.” Needless to say this open admission is rare but also surprising as an antic against Pakistan. The biggest dream of the “friendly neighbor” is to isolate Pakistan on the global front. CPEC is the biggest hurdle on that road, the recent fabrications at the BRICs summit, and exit from SAARC. Indian attempts are a threat not only for Pakistan but for the entire region. By raising questions of security planting propaganda against Pakistan’s establishment in our media as well as all accessible outlets of media hint at the desperation Indians are experiencing. The US and the anti-China bloc are utilizing the opportunity to malign the trade corridor and ensuing opportunities; whether it is Japan signing nuclear trade deals or the Obama administration’s attempts of entering Indians in NSG.
By close of 2016, there has been significant progress on the realization of CPEC’s front. 16 early harvest projects, including several power stations, highways and projects related to Gwadar Port are under construction. In November a trade convoy passed through the corridor. First shipment of exports has also been made through Gawadar. 39 power and roads related projects including Karachi-Lahore highway construction have been underway. Pakistan’s GDP is expected to reach 6% from the current 5% by 2019 including generation of 2.32 million employment opportunities. The attraction of Foreign Direct Investment via CPEC is expected to keep the GDP growth rate to 6% during 2020 as well.
In the wake of all this development our enemies cannot keep negativity at bay, blaming their internal problems on Pakistan. People like Bramdagh Bugti, Kulbhushan Yadav are evidence of attempts of Indian penetration in Pakistan specifically to sabotage the grand corridor. Political forces of Pakistan may differ on the inflow of benefits and their respective exploitation that may also be a result of external Americana and Indian influence but they all agree on the greater good for Pakistan this project carries. Pakistan Army, the people of Pakistan and their leadership at large over the past three years and in the future is ready to defend the greatest good that has happened to them after a very long time. In the present geostrategic climate there maybe forces uniting with India but nothing can break the bond that is China and Pakistan and the supporters that are slowly gathering.
