CPEC: The Symbol of Pakistan’s Development and Unity
Dr. Syed Mehboob
Senior Economic and Political Analyst
http//: www.thenewslark.com
Pakistan-China friendship is stronger than the Himalayas and deeper than the Pacific Ocean, its fragrance spreads all over the world; it is among people to people, in the hearts, minds, and sentiments of the people of both countries. It is time-tested, all-weather, long-lasting, historical, unique and visionary. Pakistanis consider China as their brother, supporter, trustworthy, reliable, and credible friend. Pakistan-China friendship is so deeply rooted that it is narrated in stories told by mothers to their children, it is told to students in schools, colleges, and universities, it is found in poetry and music, it is found in scholars’ articles and their research.
On April 20, 2015, Pakistan and China signed a landmark agreement to start work on a project worth US$ 46 billion known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The project aimed to connect the Pakistani seaport of Gwadar, located on the Baluchistan coast of the Arabian Sea, with the Chinese city of Kashgar, located in the north-western region of Xinjiang. It is CPEC and People-to-People Contacts through a network of rail, roads, and oil and gas pipelines. The project is a continuation of Pakistani and Chinese policies, pursued over the last decade, to expand and deepen traditional Pakistan-China friendship, and economic and trade relations. It is meant to materialize China’s initiatives for promoting physical and commercial connectivity with the neighboring countries to achieve the goal of greater regional integration in Asia.
Pakistan and China celebrated the tenth anniversary of CPEC in July 2023. CPEC created 236,000 new jobs for Pakistani youth and much more is expected till its competition. On this historical occasion Pakistani Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a meeting to review the progress made on CPEC projects and issued directives to celebrate the significant economic progress in underdeveloped areas of Pakistan as a result of CPEC.
CPEC, an important part of the Built and Road Initiative (BRI), has been playing a very important and significant role in strengthening and modernizing infrastructure in Pakistan which has also pushed the economic development in the city. Launched in 2013, China Pakistan Economic Corridor is linking Gwadar port in Southwestern Pakistan with Kashgar in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region which highlights energy, transport, and industrial cooperation. CPEC has achieved so many success stories that are being appreciated in Pakistan and China as it has worked as per the aspirations of people and government on both sides. Besides the governments of both countries, credit also goes to the workers from Pakistan and China who have worked day and night, dedicated their lives to the progress and prosperity of the people of both countries and have written new stories of friendship, brotherhood, and excellent relations between Pakistan and China. CPEC is one of the major sources of attraction for investment. The investment helped various Pakistani sectors to re-develop and play their role in the economic growth of the country which cultivated huge benefits for the local population. The investment of China was without any kind of terms and conditions and any pressure. This unconditional and sincere investment helped Pakistan work smoothly on CPEC projects so the projects were completed in the first phase of CPEC. Despite huge propaganda against CPEC and Pakistan-China friendship a huge majority of Pakistani people support and admire it. All political and religious parties are supporters of this friendship. The News Lark and I, Dr.Syed Mehboob as Senior Research Editor it, and as an analyst proud that I am part of the Pakistan-China Friendship and did so much research on Pakistan-China Friendship, Chinese history of development, and the role of its visionary leadership. I wish my name is written in the history of Pakistan-China Friendship.
All the leaders, PMs, and head of the state including the Pakistan Armed Forces Chief fully supported this project. Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, Imran Khan, General Raheel Sharif, General Qamar Bajwa and now Prime Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Hafiz General Asim Muneer all support Pakistan China friendship and CPEC project.
Time Line of CPEC
·2013 The CPEC was launched to promote connectivity
·2015 “1+4” cooperation structure with the CPEC at the center and The Gwadar Port, energy, transportation, infrastructure, and Industrial cooperation: -
·Orient Investment in Pakistan US$ 25.4 billion
·Revenue US$ 17.55 billion Tax: US$ 2.12 bn
·Jobs Created: 236,000
·Electricity Capacity increased 6,000 megawatts
·New Express Way: 510 Kilometers
·New national core transmission line: 886 kilometers
·“1+4 “Cooperation Structure
Became fully operational: November,2016
Boost a Multi-purpose terminal with three 20,000 metric ton berths and 140,000 sq meters storage yards
Aiming to be a logistic hub and industrial hub.
§Energy provides nearly one-third of Pakistan's electricity
§Sahiwal Coal Power Plant: One of the largest Eco-friendly coal power plants in Pakistan. Completed June 2017. Two fully functional 660 megawatts coal-fired supercritical units
§Annual power output 9 billion kilowatts per hour
§Karot Hydropower Project
§CPEC's first hydropower project was completed in June 2022
Installed Capacity: 720 MW
Sukkur Multan Motorway
CPEC’s largest transportation infrastructure project
Completed in November, 2019
Length: 392 km Designated Speed: 120 KPh Total Investment US$ 2.89 billion
§Rashakai Special Economic Zone: Ground Breaking May 2021
§CPEC’s First Industrial Park: Planned Area 406.7 hectares
§To Bring in Industries' Mechanical Equipment
Home appliances
Food Processing
To Create: 200,000 Jobs
CPEC was the prime target of enemies of Pakistan and its peace and development. Terrorist attacks threatened the lives of Chinese engineers and workers which was a matter of great concern not only for the Chinese but also for all those Pakistanis who are well-wishers of Pakistan. It was very important to express unity and solidarity with CPEC projects.
Friday 21st June 2024 was a historical day when all the mainstream political parties displayed strong support to back the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor( CPEC) and all of them unanimously reiterated their commitment to staunch support for all efforts to further cement bilateral relations between the two countries at the CPEC Pakistan China Political Parties joint consultative mechanism, held jointly by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister of International Department of the Communist Party of China ( IDCPC) and members of communist party’s Central Committee Liu Jianchao, who was in a three-day visit to Pakistan. Senate Chairman Syed Yusaf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, JUI F Amir Maulana Fazl ur Rehman, MQM’s Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Hina Rabbani Khar of PPP, Senator Syed Ali Zafar of Pakistan Tehreek e Insafe (PTI), Munazza Hassan of Istehkam e Pakistan Party, Senator Jan Muhammad of National Party, representative of Jamat e Islami and others were present on the occasion.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that during the recent visit of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to China, both sides showed unanimity to execute the second phase of CPEC besides signing the modalities for third-party participation in the projects. He maintained that the two countries were witnessing the second phase of CPEC, prioritizing agriculture, information technology, industry, mining, and mineral sectors. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing people-to-people linkage with China to deepen the sentiments of mutual respect, trust, and understanding between the two countries. He further said that there is complete unanimity among all the political and religious parties of Pakistan on CPEC’s importance for Pakistan’s economic growth and sustainable development. He said CPEC is not only a symbol of Pakistan-China Friendship, it is a shining emblem of a new vision of international cooperation.
Minister of International the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Mr. Liu Jianchao said his country is determined to build the upgraded version of CPEC. He further said that China and Pakistan would always stand shoulder to shoulder to forge a more solid all-weather strategic partnership. Liu Jianchao further said that the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China would invite 300 representatives of political parties to visit the country in the next three years. He added that they should create more platforms for China-Pakistan practical cooperation to better design our national development strategies. He said we are also ready to work with the political parties of Pakistan to promote exchanges at different levels including the youth, media, think tanks and academia to pass on this friendship to future generations.
Liu Jianchao has the opinion that both countries enjoy a solid foundation and there are great prospects for synergizing development strategies and strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation.
Mr. Ahsan Iqbal said the government is committed to ensuring the security of Chinese personnel working in Pakistan, adding that measures have been implemented to provide foolproof security, and continuous updates are shared with the Chinese Embassy regarding these actions. He stressed that CPEC serves as a beacon of stability, regional integration, and economic interdependence. He said the development of Gwadar Port, a crucial component, of CPEC, was noted for its strategic significance, providing China with direct access to the Arabian Sea and promising economic revitalization for Pakistan. He said phase II of CPEC aims to enhance Pakistan’s manufacturing capacity through industrial units in Special Economic Zones. Mr. Ahsan further said the two countries have agreed to expedite initiatives for modernizing Pakistan’s agricultural sector with advanced technologies. Cooperation will also be extended to business-to-business ( B2B) links, industrial cooperation, science and technology, artificial intelligence, and exploration of offshore oil and gas resources. Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said all the political parties were committed to CPEC as it promoted collaboration in health, education, information technology, and other sectors besides its contribution to addressing the power woes of the country. National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said the Parliamentary Committee on CPEC ensured vigilant oversight of the government and followed up on the progress of the projects under CPEC through regular reporting to the Parliament of Pakistan.
JUI Amir Maulana Fazl ur Rehman made a very comprehensive speech on the occasion and expressed his gratitude to the Chinese leadership for their unconditional support of the Kashmir cause and reiterated Pakistan’s support on the Taiwan issue.
CPEC is a symbol of the unity of Pakistan and every Pakistani is behind this project and supports it. All conspiracies against Pakistan and China's Friendship will fail and all parties' unanimity on the issue is a clear message to enemies of CPEC that they will not succeed. |