THE national and regional surge in terrorism, frequent infiltration from Afghanistan, activation of banned terrorists’ sanctuaries, secret sponsorship and support of the anti-Pak-China countries and grand design of international movers & shakers of China’s Containment have forced Pakistan and China to chalk out new holistic and comprehensive anti-terrorism strategy to eradicate elements of destruction and disability gearing CPEC towards completion.According to reliable diplomatic and security experts most recently China has shared several proposals, including an anti-terrorism cooperation agreement and a joint security company, amid a renewed interest in deepening economic relations under the CPEC Phase-II in the country which is indeed a good omen for both the countries, all main stakeholders, potential businessmen, investors and policy makers, expediting inflows of FDIs and cycle of qualitative industrialization, reallocation of the Chinese industries in Pakistan, formation of new economic corridors and, most importantly, maintaining law & order situation and further strengthening security arrangements for the safety and security of the Chinese workers and CPEC projects.
Interestingly, according to new proposals, China has also proposed to include nearly two dozen leftover projects of Phase-I in the Phase-II of CPEC. The projects are related to railways, road infrastructure, LNG terminals, copper mines, hydropower and special economic zones. Thus signing of these proposals would open a new window of opportunity for both countries to jointly work for mutual socio-economic prosperity, integration and trans-regional connectivity through Gwadar Sea Port. Hopefully, both sides may sign an agreement on anti-terrorism cooperation to address Chinese security concerns. Anti-terrorism cooperation, safety and security of the Chinese workers, investors and the CPEC projects remained the hot debate during the visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Beijing in which both sides had reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations with zero tolerance attitude and agreed to further strengthen cooperation in counterterrorism and security through a comprehensive approach, according to the joint statement issued after the visit.
Additionally, the sources said that China has also proposed to establish a joint company to ensure the security of its citizens already working in Pakistan or will be engaged during CPEC Phase-II. Spain, France and Italy are among the EU countries that have signed such agreements with China in the past decade. Even most recently the Hungarian government has also inked a joint police patrolling agreement with China, so a joint hybrid security system is not a new phenomenon which may not be taken as any regional security to anybody.
Moreover, the Chinese Ministry for Public Security has also announced plans to train thousands of overseas law enforcement officers. According to different official figures under Phase-I, both sides have completed 38 projects worth US$25.2 billion. Of these, 17 projects valued at US$18 billion were completed in the energy sector. About 26 projects worth US$26.8 billion are in the pipeline and many of those have been included in CPEC Phase II. Notably, China has also proposed that a vehicle-mounted mobile securing equipment project through cargo scanner, cargo and vehicle inspection mobile type, mobile container scanner for vehicle scanning system and mobile type vehicle security inspection system is used for trucks, containers and large vehicles’ security checking. Therefore, it should be included in Phase-II besides undertaking a project on ballistic protective vehicles which would be a value addition in our security apparatus securing our cities, communities, corporations and people alike.
Chinese authorities are willing to cooperate in the areas of infrastructure, energy and minerals, industrial development, science and technology, safety and security, small livelihood assistance, people to people exchange and digital economy which should also be included in the CPEC Phase-II. Beijing has also proposed a cooperation mechanism between the two governments so that the implementation of CPEC projects remains smooth during Phase-II. Chinese authorities have proposed a CPEC Joint Commission in this regard. In summary, ML-I mega project may also be revived in the CPEC Phase-II. The inclusion of Karachi Circular Railway, Karakoram Highway (Thakot-Raikot) section, technical support for New Gwadar International Airport, second phase of the Eastbay Expressway, reconstruction of the N-50 highway, submarine cable construction project, deepening of the Gwadar port and development of the Gwadar free zone as part of CPEC, Phase-II is a good omen which should be completed as soon as possible. In the energy sector, China has proposed GEIP LNG Terminal project, National Refinery up-gradation and extension project, Suki Kinari hydropower project and Siyadiq copper project. In industrial development, China is willing to consider further development of the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone, The Rashakai Industrial Park Project, Omara port ship repair project, Buffalo breeding and dairy processing project, and pepper cultivation demonstration and extension project.
It is suggested that to counter terrorism in Balochistan and the KP the use of FY-70 may be a good option in modern warfare. A Chinese new type of war drone that can rapidly multiply midair, a tactical shock and awe phenomenon against potential terrorists may also be included for border surveillance in border areas and North-South Waziristan. Last but not least humanoid robot cooperation along with mobile/pager tracking/blasting would be effective measures against suicidal attacks against the Chinese workers and projects.
—The writer is President, Pak-China Corridor of Knowledge, Executive Director, CSAIS, regional expert: China, CPEC & BRI.
(mehmoodulhassankhan@yahoo.com)
