CPEC & New Prospects
All the national and regional prominent experts termed current political change in the country would not derail various projects of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the country. Rather, it would be counterproductive and healthy for the future development of the same.
It is a living reality that both countries have iron-clad friendship which is time-tested and timeless, and there is a complete national consensus in Pakistan on the salience and significance of this relationship regardless of the change in government or leadership.
Newly democratically elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is a trustworthy friend of China, who looks positive to further strengthening of bilateral cooperation with China in terms of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, Pakistan’s economic recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic, fighting terrorism and economic development in Afghanistan. Thus he has innovative tasks to be materialized under the flagship of CPEC.
Moreover, as Pakistan’s leading and reputable politician, he has made valuable services for strengthening Pakistan-China friendship in the past. His services for the initiation, persuasion, approval, execution and implementation of the CPEC remained valuable. He is mesmerized with China’s rapid development and economic progress and has worked closely with the Chinese government and private companies to complete many CPEC projects in the past. Thus his new political slot would bring many befitting propositions for both the countries and all main stakeholders.
Newly-elected Prime Minister Sharif is very famous for his hard working and strong commitment to the timely completion of CPEC projects. Previously as Chief Minister of Punjab, the biggest province of Pakistan he facilitated all kinds of political support and also closely supervised and stimulated implementation of all infrastructure and energy projects in Punjab. Resultantly, Pakistan succeeded to overcome shadows of darkness after the completion of many mega energy projects in the country.
It is hoped that completion of important projects of Phase-I including Main Line-I and key energy plants, the early operationalization of the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) would further stimulate the country’s industrial output and high-quality development through enhanced cooperation in artificial intelligence, ICT, digitalization, information communication technology, science and technology, and agriculture would remain the priority of the government. In this connection, the corridor of knowledge should be a strategic priority of the newly elected government in the country.
Moreover, rapid progress on the development of the Gwadar Port and Free Trade Zone (FTZ) should be promoted to further brighten the chances of regional connectivity through immense socio-economic integration.
Economic stagnation because of many complex and complicated socio-economic and geopolitical reasons has reaffirmed strategic importance, scope, utility and capacity building orientation of the CPEC which should be further streamlined and systematized. Although Pakistan is passing through difficult times in terms of financial resources, hopefully under the visionary leadership of newly elected Prime Minister Sharif the government may get a roll-over facility from Beijing. In this regard, the economic and financial collapse of Sri Lanka does not have any resemblance with Pakistan. Thus western propaganda does not have any credibility on the issue of so-called debt trap.
China has become Pakistan’s largest trade partner and a major source of foreign direct investment. Moreover, it occupies an important position for Pakistan’s economic revival and long-term development agenda which has brighter prospects under the flagship projects of CPEC in the country. Thus the premiership of Sharif would be a blessing for the country and of course CPEC projects.
It is hoped that investment by Chinese state-owned enterprises and private enterprises under the flagship projects of CPEC would be conducive to Pakistan’s economic growth and create job opportunities in the days to come. Additionally, as a leading agrarian country, Pakistan looks forward to expanding the export of its agro and food products to China.
There is an urgent need to revisit our security policy and scheme of arrangement for the easy and smooth functioning and protection of CPEC in the country. In this context, valiant law enforcement agencies and defence forces remain vigilant to counter all nefarious designs of regional enemies against CPEC. Pakistan had put in place an elaborate security mechanism to ensure the safety and security of all CPEC projects and personnel.
It seems that a peaceful, prosperous, and stable Afghanistan is vital to the shared development of the region. Pakistan stands ready to cooperate with China in this endeavor through the extended connectivity of the CPEC in Afghanistan and beyond. Pakistan, China and Afghanistan have also shown interest in extending CPEC to Afghanistan. This would pave way for Afghanistan’s infrastructure development and its connectivity and integration with the region.
I conclude that as agricultural countries China and Pakistan are currently facing the same challenges of food security. New crop sorghum has gradually attracted attention. It is an indispensable dry food crop, the second only to wheat, corn, rice and barley in China in terms of planting area and output. It has been labeled as the camel of crops” based on its numerous excellent qualities such as resistance to pests and diseases, high temperature, cold, and salinity.
It is a multi-purpose crop that can play an important role in food and fodder provision. At a time when the world is facing the dual challenges of the epidemic and food crisis, it is a win-win choice to incorporate this multi-purpose crop into the CPEC cooperation framework and add another layer of guarantee to the food security of China and Pakistan. Thus it must be included in the further development of CPEC projects in the country.
Even tea plantation has become a new profitable crop in the country. As all potential tea growing areas lie on both sides of the CPEC route, providing easy access to markets, China is fully engaged with Pakistan under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Pakistan can easily benefit from Beijing’s expertise and resources. Furthermore, China has already developed NTRI in Shinkiari and would welcome the opportunity to use it for a B2B agricultural enterprise. Moreover, CPEC will further expand chilli farming over 5000 acres in Pakistan which is good omen for the agriculture development.
Interestingly, Chinese companies are going to step up pharmaceutical cooperation with Pakistan. Many companies including Luye Life Sciences Group, Guangzhou Baiyunshan Zhongyi Pharmaceutical, and Guangzhou Qixing Pharmaceutical expressed their intention to cooperate with potential Pakistani partners. Thus it should also be included under the flagship of CPEC.
Political change in the country will not create any hurdle in the ongoing projects of the CPEC, rather hopefully it will be useful for its rapid growth.
