CPEC is the flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, under which infrastructure projects worth 62 Billion dollars are being executed in Pakistan. This is a perfect example of Win-Win cooperation in the region and a practical example of how the development of one nation is encouraged by the other. Both the US and India have openly opposed the BRI project. Unfortunately, they still believe in the era-old concepts of Zero-Sum Game. In this ever-changing era of globalization, China and Pakistan have joined hands in their endeavor to create the first, amongst many “Communities of Shared Destiny”. Unfortunately, there are certain players in the region who want to pursue a policy of death and destruction to eliminate their competition, either it is through trade wars or through proxy wars.
The recent attack on the Chinese Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan has been condemned by both Pakistan and China. Fortunately, the terrorist attack was foiled due to the bravery and valor of the Pakistani law enforcing agencies, who responded immediately. All three terrorists were killed and the Consulate was secured. During the operation, two Pakistani law enforcement personals lost their lives while stopping the terrorists in pursuing their nefarious designs. The Chinese Embassy soon after released a statement, “The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan strongly condemns the terrorist attack against the Chinese Consulate-General in Karachi on November 23. Now the situation has been brought under control and three terrorists have been killed. There are no Chinese citizens killed or injured in the attack. We appreciate the Pakistani Army and Police for their timely and proper action against the attack. We extend our deep condolences to the two Pakistani policemen martyred in the attack. We believe that the Pakistani side is able to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan. Any attempt to undermine China-Pakistan relationship is doomed to fail.”
Pakistan’s threat matrix
When China and Pakistan decided to undertake the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, they knew that it would be an uphill task. It was understood that regional and international powers would not tolerate this road to development and economic progress. With the advent of CPEC, Pakistan’s security situation has complicated, with multiple threats emerging to the country. It is an open fact that both the US and India have openly opposed the BRI and the CPEC. The US has used all necessary means to coerce Pakistan to backtrack from the CPEC. The US Secretary of State had earlier warned that the US would not sanction any IMF bailout package for Pakistan due to Pakistan’s commitment to CPEC. This is exactly what happened, the IMF during its negotiations set a precondition of the bailout package to publicize the CPEC deals, on Pakistan’s refusal to do so, the IMF team left the country without any deal. Pakistan’s fragile economy was in dire need of the bailout package but Pakistan didn’t compromise on its strategic and national interests.
The US has been involved in Afghanistan since the 80s. Since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom, the US has established a strong intelligence network in Afghanistan and to some extent in the region too. This strong network is active at performing various sabotaging acts in the region for their narrow benefits, which is detrimental to the peace, security, and development of the whole region. India has also been accused of sabotaging the CPEC. Pakistan’s Top Military General, The Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mehmood Hayat has accused India of stoking “chaos and anarchy” in the region. He alleged that the Indian external intelligence agency RAW had established a special cell at a cost of USD 500 million to sabotage the CPEC. Hence CPEC is facing tremendous challenges which can only be overcome through cooperation.
The goal of the terrorists was to create a rift between the two countries, which they gave again failed at achieving. Pakistan and China have to jointly counter the “Three Evils” of Extremism, Terrorism, and Separatism. Pakistan is a small state, with a limited capacity. We are unable to face the emerging external threats on our own, we need China to increase the security collaboration with Pakistan. CPEC is the convergence point of our national interests and both countries have to increase intelligence sharing and collaboration so that we might thwart any future acts of sabotage to our national interests. Long-Live China Pakistan Friendship!
