Targeting CPEC and Chinese

Byadmin

Dated

May 7, 2022

Targeting CPEC and Chinese

Noor Israr describes a fearful situation

Comment

Since after the former PTI government came to power there has been a decisive slide in the fortunes of once-highly praised Targeting CPEC and Chinese and the project has to face repeated impediments. As if it was not enough the detractors of CPEC started hitting the vital target of Chinese national working on this project in Pakistan. This trend is now very prominent and has virtually stopped CPEC in its tracks with both Chinese and Pakistan governments trying to bring it back on the right path. The Chinese government is duly discomfited as both it and Pakistani sides have already invested considerable amount in arranging appropriate security for the Chinese working in Pakistan but this arrangement has apparently failed to do what it was raised to do. In this context a Special Security Division (SSD) was created in 2016 comprising 73 wings consisting of two light infantry divisions with 15,000 troops each. The SSD also has support from 32,000 security personnel forces of the Frontier Corps, police and Levies, apart from a dedicated intelligence network to prevent or neutralise terrorism-related threats.
A succession of deadly incidents has given rise to apprehensions about the security perceptions and designs behind the whole security plans. It is now quite openly mentioned that the entire approach to safeguarding CPEC is very conventional and mainly based on protecting the work sites and escorting convoys of engineers and workers. Even the profit-oriented Chinese private companies have become fearful of the intentions of the terrorists and the inability of the Pakistani security apparatus to devise fool-proof security for them. The Chinese are particularly worried about the focus of terrorists on urban areas where they are mostly employed as was clearly manifested by the recent incident of suicide bombing at the Confucius Institute at the Karachi University.
CPEC was a veritable expression Chinese soft power and it was quite obvious that such attempts meet stiff opposition from many financially viable entitities that have used such power for decades. It must however be kept in view that similar extensions of soft power were always viewed with apprehension compelling the initiators to devise ways to counter opposition. In addition there was an element of welfare in such soft power ventures that kept provisions of changing loans into grants and also cancelling debts owed by needy countries that the Chinese ventures lack. Moreover, China is also viewed as amassing vast wealth by exploiting its hapless citizenry that does not enjoy equitable circumstances of life. These factors have resulted in apparently fast-dwindling popularity and acceptance of Chinese financial assistance. Further exacerbating this issue is the inward-looking Chinese cultural modes that are considered alien by a very large part of the world and sprawling Chinese Diasporas lend it credibility.
In this respect, the cost of security is also a major factor that makes CPEC projects more expensive and Pakistani side knows that the Chinese will build-in a sizeable chunk of them in the profits accruing from CPEC projects. Pakistan is badly strapped for cash and its financial managers find it cumbersome to raise Rs.36 billion meant to provide security to Chinese nationals engaged in the construction of the multibillion-dollar ML-I project. The latter is a mega project requiring a large security blanket requiring an over-arching security strategy and involving large number of security personnel. There is another difficulty pertaining to managing, training and screening of security personnel about which the besieged Chinese are quite worried. This aspect is quite crucial to the Chinese who are very concerned about the capability of Pakistani security apparatus that has repeatedly been unsuccessful in ensuring their security.
The recent atrocity committed against the Chinese in Karachi University has elicited a strong reaction from China. The tough Chinese reaction has surely increased the pressure on the new Pakistan government that has so far reacted sensibly and coherently bringing to fore the clear difference between it and the former government. The difference is clearly indicated the prudence exhibited by the new government as compared to the reaction a terrorist attack by the banned TTP on a bus carrying Chinese workers near the Dasu dam site in 2021 when PTI government tried to cover up declaring that the incident was due to a technical fault in the vehicle. It was only because of Chinese pressure that the government changed its stance and allowed Targeting CPEC and Chinese investigators to help the Pakistani agencies investigate the attack. After the suicide attack at Karachi University the incumbent prime minister rushed to the Chinese embassy to express his condolences and promised to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Experts are of the opinion that the Pakistani officialdom is required to carry out a profound review of the strategic and political context. While strengthening the security of Targeting CPEC and Chinese it is also essential to address the unrest in Balochistan. It is noticed that the concerned state institutions have been exploring selective measures ranging from reconciliation to amnesty to address the problem of insurgency. It has however become crystal clear that most of these solutions have not bore the fruits they were designed for. It is reported that the Pakistani establishment is currently engaged in a broader dialogue with the Baloch youth. It is however suggested that such dialogue should be initiated and followed by the political class instead of the officialdom. The recent political change once again brought to fore the fact that the political initiative is the harbinger of widespread political change as was witnessed by the political actors bringing Balochi leaders to their cause. These leaders apparently did so against the influence exercised on them by the establishment though many argue that this happened due to the nod given by it. However, the reality remains that the political element has far more influence than narrow goals pursued by the establishment.
In this context it is inevitable that the political option is consistently exercised without further impeding it. Letting the political elements take the initiative is not an expensive business and may cost far less than the measures devised by the officialdom. Political action is perfectly capable of reducing insecurity for all the people living in the country along with the foreigners. Till the time that the political forces are given enough chances to solve political problems the security establishment should focus on their analysing skills and improve their ability about counter-insurgency and issues associated with it. Militancy in any shape or form and in any set of people of the country is harmful to any social fabric. The Balochi militancy is proving lethal by the day and it cannot be out rightly dismissed and it is required that it should be taken with renewed perception. It is not easy to alter a particular pattern of perception but the issue of Targeting CPEC and Chinese is serious enough to radically change it. It is easier said than done otherwise but is the only way forward and there is no alternative to it. It should also be placed in perspective that the Karachi suicide was carried out by a female operator that has further complicated the security situation for the Chinese and, by extension, CPEC. Currently, a lot is required to be done in this respect and there is no short-cut to it. TW

Read More

Noor Israr has a discerning taste in music and is currently studying development economics at UCF

Share

MOST READ
The writ of international law
The writ of international law
M Ali Siddiqi looks at a crucial...
Resurgence of fascism
Resurgence of fascism
M Ali Siddiqi describes a dangerous...
President Xi Jinping
XI on his way to ruling China for life
M Ali Siddiqi talks about apparent...
Governance and equitable distribution of resources
Governance and equitable distribution of resources
M Ali Siddiqi talks about Governance...
The Need For Pakistan
The Need For Pakistan
M A Siddiqi expresses surprise...
The Presence And Essence Of Pakistaniat
The Presence And Essence Of Pakistaniat
M Ali Siddiqi describes a strong...

Get Newsletters

Career

Subscribe Us