Abdullah Mustafvi
It is undeniably evident that economic deterioration can potentially cost much higher to Pakistan than usual estimation. Survival as a sovereign state , in a disturbed South Asian region with a daggers drawn neighbor like India ,will remain a big challenge for economically crippled Pakistan! It will be unwise to ignore the Indian desperation to black list Pakistan on FATF forum . Such moves , including terrorism in Balochistan, precisely aim at destroying the economy which would subsequently compel Pakistan to kneel before the global powers striving hard to halt the Chinese economic expansion . CPEC is an ongoing development mega project which aims to connect Gwadar Port of Pakistan to China’s northwestern region of Xinjiang, via a network of highways, railways and pipelines. Success of this project has the capability to transform Pakistan into a regional economic hub. This is what Pakistan desperately needs amid hostile coercive moves of regional and global players. Unfortunately, present government had no prior planning or home work to deal with deteriorated economy which led to devaluation of currency as a result of belated decision to approach IMF for an unavoidable bailout package . While all these developments were taking place, few meaningful responses from important players added much to the worries of Pakistan . Surprisingly, IMF inquired about the minutest possible details of financial matters related to CPEC including the Chinese investments and loans. It was almost the same time once American Spokesperson Heather Nauret came out with a more curvy statement that USA had been deliberately analyzing all the details of Chinese loans rendered to Pakistan. It was not at all difficult to understand the real intent hidden in the statement of American spokesperson and the demand made by IMF authorities. It is obvious that IMF and USA carry serious reservations against rapidly strengthening Pak- China economic cooperation which includes CPEC at top of the list. Though it is all beyond any doubt but certain west influenced media circles in Pakistan usually don’t get convinced easily specially once anything moves at national canvas against the wishes of USA. How any sane mind can ignore the threatening statement of Mike Pompeo in which he loudly instructed IMF to refrain from granting any loan to Pakistan which might be used to clear the Chinese debts by the later. Undoubtedly, Chinese economic expansion across the globe is a permanent source of trouble for USA. Stretch of CPEC in Pakistan from Northern areas to beaches of Gawadar is neither acceptable to India nor suits to USA. Persistent terrorism in Balochistan primarily aimed at sabotage of CPEC as divulged by Khal Bhoshan Jhadev. RAW sponsored terrorists hindered acceleration on CPEC by spoiling the atmosphere through piecemeal incidents of terrorist attacks on Chinese technicians . These targeted attempts were launched to dislodge law and order apparatus with an ultimate objective of spoiling the upcoming economic turn around linked with CPEC . Unfortunately some quarters , on one hand adopted meaningful silence over Indian sponsored terrorismin Northern areas and Balochistan, and on the other hand started a negative campaign against CPEC. Before spreading baseless doubts about CPEC, dubious media quarters should refresh collective memory and recall the venomous statement made by late Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj against CPEC in Indian Parliament some five years back. Sushma Swaraj spilled beans by claiming that India had serious objections on CPEC as it would be passing through those Pak occupied disputed territories which actually belong to India. This venomous objection was being persistently raised by the India at many occasions through top ranked officials . Indian Prime Minister Narinder Modi expressed objections over CPEC during his visit to China and received a jaw breaking reply from Chinese government . Negative Indian mindset has not yet found a proper cure rather growing ties with USA adding more fuel to anti Pakistan fury. Reportedly , a special desk exclusively deputed in RAW against CPEC is vigorously operating, with a huge flow of money , under personal supervision of national security advisor Ajeet Doval who reports all matters directly to Prim Minister Narinder Modi . Pakistan is confronting such hostile neighbors on eastern and western fronts who are all set to go all out in quest of coercion . There are serious troubles on internal and external fronts . Country is pitched in a complex war being fought simultaneously on economic , internal , diplomatic and military fronts. Recent eye opening developments unfolding at the side lines of ongoing economic crisis deserve a serious head on shoulders. Objections raised directly or indirectly by IMF , USA and India against CPEC at various occasions are complexly interlinked . It is not time to sit idle in ‘wait and see mode’ ! A negative commentary on CPEC with extra ordinary deliberation by Allice Wells needs to be viewed in correct context. Transparency is must in all governmental projects and CPEC is no exception to this universal rule . But at the same time , a close watch should be maintained on anti CPEC propaganda being made by dubious quarters . There can be no second opinion about importance of CPEC for economic survival of Pakistan . It is an undeniable fact of the moment that Pakistan can not afford any sort of negligence, laxity and sluggishness in matters related to CPEC and all its allied sub-projects.
