Thursday, 28 March 2024, 09:30:45 pm

Analysts hail strategic Pak, China partnership for mutual benefit of the two countries
June 27, 2022

Dr. Huma Baqai (IR Expert): We are living in very challenging times and Pakistan and China have vowed to consolidate their strategic relationship in all spheres of cooperation. Being an important power, Pakistan has a significant role in the region and beyond. Pakistan is a strategic partner of China. As Islamabad is currently facing the major challenge of shrinking economic space, it needs help to overcome it. Pakistan and China have unanimity of views on various global and international issues of importance. Beijing is an important member of BRICS and Islamabad stands to benefit from it. China along with other friendly countries played a key role at FATF meetings to show Islamabad’s seriousness towards anti-money laundering and terrorist financing goals. Army Chief’s upcoming visit to China will also be viewed in terms of increasing security partnership.

Ali Sarwar Naqvi (Former Ambassador): CPEC is a major part of Belt and Road Initiative of China which involves around forty two countries in Asia and Africa. Of various projects underway in these countries, CPEC is the flagship one in terms of infrastructure development, energy and connectivity. Progress on this project has been good and now we have entered into the second phase of this mega program. China is committed to help Pakistan improve its economy. This perspective should be kept in view when we talk about regional connectivity and BRI.

Mushtaq Ahmed Mehr (Former Ambassador): BRICS is a very important forum which is relatively new on the international scene. Its underlined thesis is regional integration and regional cooperation with regional trade in focus. Chinese are committed to help Pakistan and the Asiatic countries. They want to form a new regional framework for economic development. Once economic development is attained, then poverty alleviation and socio-economic cooperation will follow. For the BRICS to take off, it needs harmony and unity among the member countries. Unfortunately, India has become a stumbling block for Pakistan in forums like BRICS which is against the spirit of this organization.

Dr. Zahid Anwar Khan (IR Expert): India has been scheming to create a false image that everything is fine in occupied Kashmir. It is well known that populace of IIOJ&K does not want to live under Indian rule. A new strategy by India is to convene a meeting of G20 in IIOJ&K in order to hoodwink the world community. The current BJP dispensation in India revoked the independent status of IIOJ&K and is trying to change the demography of the area. However, these tactics will not succeed because Pakistan will continue its diplomatic, political and moral support to Kashmiris and keep on highlighting the human rights violations by Indian forces on innocent Kashmiris at all relevant international forums.