In a recent address to the Pakistan-China Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM), Liu Jianchao, the Minister of Central Committee of the International Department of Communist Party of China, highlighted severe security challenges as the primary threat jeopardizing the sustainability of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The high-ranking Chinese official emphasized the urgent need for reinforced security measures and a supportive business and media environment to ensure the project’s continuity and success.
Liu Jianchao’s remarks at the JCM underscored the escalating security threats faced by CPEC. He noted that confidence, particularly in the context of Chinese investments, is continuously undermined by the precarious security situation in Pakistan. The Minister referred to recent militant attacks targeting Chinese projects in Pakistan as alarming evidence of the persistent security risks confronting CPEC.
The attacks, including the attempted breach of the Gwadar Port Authority complex and a lethal suicide bombing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulted in the tragic loss of lives and exposed the vulnerability of Chinese personnel and infrastructure to targeted violence. These incidents not only highlight the immediate security concerns but also reflect a broader pattern of militant activities aimed at disrupting CPEC’s progress.
Furthermore, Liu Jianchao emphasized the necessity of addressing the challenges related to the business environment and investment climate in Pakistan. He acknowledged the reluctance of Chinese investors due to the country’s financial instability and historical issues with unmet commitments to Chinese firms. Additionally, the Minister highlighted the stagnation in the development of special economic zones, a crucial component of CPEC’s long-term success.
To mitigate these challenges, Liu Jianchao advocated for a unified political front to establish broad public consensus and support for CPEC. He stressed the importance of countering misinformation campaigns and called for the creation of a CPEC-friendly media environment. The Minister also underscored the significance of political stability in ensuring sustainable development, emphasizing the need for all political parties to collaborate in this endeavor.
In response, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to advancing and upgrading CPEC in its second phase. The presence of senior representatives from major Pakistani political parties at the JCM meeting demonstrated a strong political consensus on CPEC and highlighted the pivotal role of Pakistan-China relations in regional peace and development.
Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani emphasized the importance of inclusive and sustainable growth, ensuring equitable development across all regions. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, speaker of the National Assembly, highlighted the parliamentary committee’s role in monitoring the progress of CPEC projects to ensure transparency and accountability.
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Mushahid Hussain Sayed, chairman of the Pakistan China Institute, raised concerns about the proliferation of disinformation and fake news and proposed the establishment of a rapid response information system to counter propaganda and safeguard the project’s integrity. PTI leader Barrister Ali Zafar called for expediting the development of CPEC projects in light of the sluggish progress.
In a subsequent meeting with Pakistan’s Army Chief Gen Asim Munir, Liu Jianchao received assurance of Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to the strategic partnership with China and full support for the successful implementation of CPEC. The high-level discussions underlined the gravity of the challenges facing CPEC and the concerted efforts required to overcome them for the project’s sustained success.
Overall, the warnings and commitments expressed in the JCM meeting and subsequent high-level engagements underscore the complex array of security, political, and economic challenges confronting the future of CPEC. The critical need for enhanced security measures, conducive investment climate, political consensus, and credible information dissemination emerges as imperative for ensuring the resilience and prosperity of this transformative economic corridor in the years ahead.
