Reema Shaukat
With the much amplifiedrigidities between Indo Pak relations where Pakistan’s offers for dialogue and peace in Kashmir and within the regionare negated by India, Modi’s speech on India’s independence day comes as sizzling pursuit about Pakistan. Modi clearly ignored the present wave of violence in Kashmir and intentionally chose to spoke about Baluchistan and Gilgit Baltistan.It seems India is quite disturbed with the development projects in Pakistan and is bothered by Pakistan’s success story against terrorism.This was not the first time Modi dribbled his venom against Pakistan and interestingly his considerations in speech that,”People of Baluchistan, Gilgit and PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) have thanked me a lot in past few days,” seemed a fabricated stuff. Modi’s words depict the Indian uneasiness for the Baluchistan and Gilgit which are in limelight because of CPEC. It was not a slip of tongue this time by Modi but selected words indeed, about Baluchistan.Noticeably, arrest of Indian spy Kulbhushan Yadev from Baluchistan and his confessional statements are a slap on Indian covert propaganda against Pakistan but still India never slips a platform to tell tale against Pakistan. Modi while criticizing Pakistan said they glorify terrorists but what a pity Modi forgot state terrorism in Indian Occupied Kashmir for the past many decades and on the present situation of Kashmir they are mum where mayhem is created day and night by Indian security forces.
Indian propaganda in Baluchistan is not hidden now and those who believed earlier that India has no interest in Baluchistan is a mere assumption now. India openly speaks and support insurgency in Baluchistan and avowals given by Baloch insurgent leaders actually portray Indian mind-set behind them. Indian Prime Minister’s reference to Baluchistan, which is an integral part of Pakistan, only proves Pakistan’s argument that India, through its main intelligence agency RAW, has been provoking terrorism in Baluchistan. Propaganda in Baluchistan is not new as in past unrest often hit the province but with initiation of CPEC in Baluchistan which will turn province as one of booming region, many non-state actors are active with their evil plans in Baluchistan. Recently media reports by West have highlighted that the India has allegedly set up Baloch Operation Cell to destabilize and sabotage progress work and development in Pakistan.The reports further said the RAW has set up a new desk in their headquarters to instigate Baloch liberation movement with Baloch separatist elements. Highlighting the names of spies, report said that sole purpose of such set up is to halt development in Baluchistan particularly Indian apprehensions about CPEC are alarming for Pakistan and India wants no harmony in Baluchistan. After arrest of Indian spy, this seems another try by India to sabotage peace in Pakistan.
A project of $46 billionwith the name of CPEC has definitely given sleepless nights to foes of Pakistan and China. West has concerns on China’s One Belt, One Road initiative which will give China economic thrive whereas there are few countries who want to limit China only in Far East and not accessible to rest of world. CPEC is one of massive project being part of OBOR, which will connect Gwadar, situated in Baluchistan province to Chinese province Xinjiang. This CPEC project which is now termed as “Game Changer” is a comprehensive development programme that requires the linking of Gwadar Port to China’s north-western region of Xinjiang through highways, railways, oil and gas pipelines, and an optical fibre link. But unfortunately, there is always a hype created about CPEC, which obviously gives chance to adversaries to speak out. Symbol of Pak China friendship this CPEC once accomplished will give Pakistan an exceptional position in globalised world. There is a dire need to understand what this CPEC is going to bring in for Pakistan. No doubt concerns on such massive project are logical and need to be answered wisely and timely but one must not forget that if Pakistan is giving China a place for investment, in return this project will vastly benefit Pakistan with many opportunities in developmental sector including economic elevation, job opportunities, training of skilled labour, splendid infrastructure etc. CPEC is an economic project having strategic outlook for the wellbeing of lesser developed areas. It would create a link between adjoining countries as well as other regions to facilitate the trade activity. Resultantly, the region is expected to witness an economic bang with multifaceted benefits to the surrounding countries in general and Pakistan in particular.
Troubled with the CPEC, India invested in Chabahar Port with Iran to undermine Pakistan. India definitely leaves no stone unturned to malign Pakistan but has no idea that its malicious build -ups and its bonding with other countries against Pakistan will never succeed. People of Pakistan particularly Baluchistan this timecelebratedindependence day with full enthusiasm despite Quetta tragedy, they took out rallies in favour of Pakistan and later a strong response was also observed from Baluchistan government on Modi’s speech. Last year we witnessed many ferrarisor insurgents laying down their weapons and showing their warm feelings for Baluchistan peace initiatives. Therefore, attaching the stigma of security threat with Pakistan and particularly any provinceiserroneous as no doubt country is facing security challenges but has come a long way to counter such hostile elements. Security threat for CPEC project emanate from extremist militancy, nationalist insurgency and criminal violence along the route of CPEC. Nevertheless, Pakistan has requisite capacity and adequate security infrastructure to deal amicably with such challenges. Pakistan has already proven her capacity and resolve in countering such threats under Operation “Zarb-e-Azb” which has been applauded worldwide. The said operation has flushed out the extremists from Pak soil besides substantially weakening China specific ETIM. One must remember that Baluchistan surely is on the way of prosperity and those who try to beat drum of provincialism, jingoism and other tactics to vilify Pakistan will never be heard.
