CPEC was in the news for contentious reason. Upper House of Parliament compared it with East India Company. Chinese envoy in Islamabad highlighted the possibility of Iran’s inclusion in CPEC as a positive development. The envoy held a meeting with Imran Khan of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) and was assured that the protest call in Islamabad is not against the CPEC. Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) said it will provide satellite monitoring of CPEC. The civilian security agency, Intelligence Bureau (IB), raised alarm about foreign conspiracies against CPEC. KP once again raised the issue of neglect of development of Western route. And finally, China announced to provide Pakistan with eight stealth submarines.
‘East India Company’:
Pakistani lawmakers from the upper house of Parliament have shown renewed concerns about the fallouts of CPEC. Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee, Senator Tahir Mashhadi, made a rather blunt statement saying that “[A]nother East India Company is in the offing; national interests are not being protected. We are proud of the friendship between Pakistan and China but the interests of the state should come first.”[1] It should be remembered that East India Company was precursor to the British colonization of Subcontinent. Upon the information that major chunk of CPEC finances will be borne by local sources, Mashhadi warned that the consequences will be severe as “poor people of Pakistan” will have to pay for these costs at the end of the day.[2] Another Senator was critical of whopping power tariffs demanded by the Chinese investors. Compared to 71 paisa per unit set by NEPRA, the Chinese had demanded 95 paisa per unit.[3] Similarly, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief, Sirajul Haq, lamented that there is “nothing for” FATA and AJK in CPEC.[4] It’s one of the main domestic concerns regarding CPEC that might be raised time and time again in the future.
Iran:
China’s envoy to Pakistan has said that the prospect of Iran’s joining CPEC can be a win-win situation for both Iran and China. In an interview to Iran’s official news agency IRNA, Sun Weidong, said that “CPEC is a win-win cooperation so we are looking forward to explore the possibilities of cooperation among the all the regional countries.”[5] Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani, recently revealed his country’s interest in CPEC to Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, on the sidelines of UN General Assembly session in New York. When asked about the role of CPEC in extending energy line from Iran to China, the ambassador replied that such possibility can be “explored” in the future.[6] By idealistic extension, some experts have already argued that CPEC has such potential to connect energy markets of Middle East with China.
Imran’s Protest:
PTI chairman, Imran Khan, clarified to Chinese ambassador in Islamabad that his planned protest in the capital has nothing to do with CPEC. At the request of Weidong, Imran held a meeting with the former and tried to dispel the notion that his protest movement was “somehow meant to sabotage China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.”[7] He said that instead, it was meant to bring the Prime Minister to accountability in Panama leaks case. He appreciated China’s initiative of CPEC as a gamechanger.[8] Besides, he brought to the notice of Chinese envoy that the government of Pakistan should give a proper consideration to KP’s reservations on the project.[9] In return, Weidong assured Khan that CPEC is meant to serve the interest of all the regions including Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.[10]
SUPARCO Satellite:
Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) will provide comprehensive monitoring services of CPEC through satellite. The message was delivered to President Mamnoon Hussain by SUPARCO delegation, headed by Maj Gen Qaiser Anees Khurram. Launch of this satellite will help monitor and secure vulnerable parts of CPEC.[11] SUPARCO stated that it was providing complete geo sensing of the entire corridor from Gwadar to Khunjerab. It is the first remote sensing satellite and will be launched in 2018. Earlier in April, Federal Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal has informed about the launch of this satellite on the occasion of signing of an agreement between SUPARCO and China Great Wall Industry Cooperation.[12]
RAW and NDS:
Pakistan’s top civilian intelligence agency, IB, has claimed that certain state and non-state actors from other countries are involved in efforts to sabotage CPEC. IB Deputy Director General, Ali Ahmad Sabir, told a Senate Standing Committee that India’s clandestine agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Afghanistan’s National Directorate Service (NDS) are collaborating in this subversion.[13] Additionally, some non-state actors like East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) are also “potential threats” to CPEC. He stated that even though these groups have “shifted to Afghanistan”, there potential threats cannot be ignored.[14] Senator Talha lauded work of IB and insisted that these nefarious activities of foreign actors should be exposed before the nation.[15] It should be remembered that this is not the first time the government has talked about the subversive influence of external elements in domestic affairs. Last month, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif, had warned India that Pakistan was fully aware of its evil intentions.[16]
Stealth Attack Submarines:
China will provide Pakistan with eight stealth attack submarines as part of a deal signed between both countries in April this year. Four of the submarines will be made at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW) and the rest will be built in China.[17] This arrangement is going to raise the number of Pakistan’s underwater vehicles from five to 13 by 2028.[18] While commenting on the deal, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Hua Chunying, had earlier said that all the cooperation between two traditional friends, in the field of military industry and trade, was in consonance with “their respective international commitment. This deal could cost $4 billion to $5 billion.[19]
Route Controversy:
Chief Minister of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa has blamed that central government is cheating the other provinces on CPEC. He stated that the project was actually started by Musharraf but once the PML-N came into power, it shifted CPEC projects to Punjab while kept other provinces of federation in darkness. He pointed out that “[I]t is strange to see that infrastructure is completed on central route of CPEC but there is no practical work on the western route. It is a joke. It is against the commitment of prime minister.”[20] He emphasized upon the central government to complete and integrate the western route into CPEC.[21]
[1] Raza, Syed Irfan, (2016, October 18). CPEC could become another East India Company. Retrieved on October 18, 2016, from http://www.dawn.com/news/1290677/cpec-could-become-another-east-india-company
[2] ANI, (2016, October 18). China-Paki economic corridor could become another ‘East India Company’: Lawmakers. Retrieved on October 18, 2016, from http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-pak-economic-corridor-could-become-another-east-india-company-lawmakers/story-VOgS6SQLD67fFxpBPiVgKK.html
[3] Neelakantaln, Shailaja, (2016, October 19). China-Pakistan Economic Corridor might become like East India Co, say Pakistan’s senators. Retrieved on October 19, 2016, from http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor-might-become-like-East-India-Co-say-Pakistans-senators/articleshow/54931884.cms
[4] Web Desk, (2016, October 18). Lawmakers’ fear: CPEC to turn into another East India Company. Retrieved on October 20, 2016, from http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/10/18/national/lawmakers-fear-cpec-to-turn-into-another-east-india-company/
[5] IRNA, (2016, October 17). China looking forward to enhance cooperation with Iran through CPEC: Envoy. Retrieved on October 20, 2016, from http://www.irna.ir/en/News/82270078/
[6] Dawn.com, (2016, October 18). China welcomes enhanced cooperation with Iran on CPEC. Retrieved on October 18, 2016, from http://www.dawn.com/news/1290724/china-welcomes-enhanced-cooperation-with-iran-on-cpec
[7] Ghumman, Khawar, (2016, October 19). Protests not against CPEC, PTI chief assures Chinese envoy. Retrieved on October 20, 2016, from http://www.dawn.com/news/1290877/protests-not-against-cpec-pti-chief-assures-chinese-envoy
[8] Geo News, (2016, October 18). PTI supports govt on CPEC: Imran assures Chinese ambassador. Retrieved on October 2o, 2016, from https://www.geo.tv/latest/118173-Imran-Khan-meets-Chinese-Ambassador-Sun-Weidong
[9] Staff Report, (October 18, 2016). PTI supports govt over CPEC, Imran tells Chinese envoy. Retrieved on October 20, 2016, from http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/10/18/national/pti-supports-govt-over-cpec-imran-tells-chinese-envoy/
[10] News Desk, (October 20, 2016). CPEC beneficial for all Pakistan: Chinese envoy. Retrieved on October 20, 2016, from http://tribune.com.pk/story/1204269/cpec-beneficial-pakistan-chinese-envoy/
[11] Raza, Syed Irfan, (2016, October 19). Suparco to provide satellite service to monitor CPEC. Retrieved on October 20, 2016, from http://www.dawn.com/news/1290894
[12] Our correspondent, (2016, October 18). ‘Pakistan to launch remote sensing satellite in 2018’. Retrieved on October 18, 2016, from http://tribune.com.pk/story/1201181/world-space-week-pakistan-launch-remote-sensing-satellite-2018/
[13] Sajid, Siddique, (2016, October 19). RAW, NDS, ETIM and TTP develop nexus to sabotage CPEC project. Retrieved on October 21, 2016, from http://dailytimes.com.pk/pakistan/19-Oct-16/raw-nds-etim-and-ttp-develop-nexus-to-sabotage-cpec-project
[14] Haq, Riazul, (2016, October 19). Indian, Afghan agencies preparing militant groups to sabotage CPEC: IB. Retrieved on October 21, 2016, from http://tribune.com.pk/story/1202727/senate-briefing-ib-raises-spectre-corridor-sabotage/
[15] Web Desk, (2016, October 19). Indian, Afghan intelligence agencies active to sabotage CPEC: IB. Retrieved on October 21, 2016, from http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/357388-Indian-Afghan-intelligence-agencies-active-to-sab
[16] Dawn.com, (2016, September 2). Pakistan fully aware of India’s nefarious designs, Gen Raheel tells Modi. Retrieved on October 21, 2016, from http://www.dawn.com/news/1281375
[17] Daud, Khwaja, (2016, October 16). Pakistan to get eight stealth attack submarines from China. Retrieved on October 21, from https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/pakistan-to-get-eight-stealth-attack-submarines-from-china/
[18] Casiple, Necta, (2016, October 20). India unfazed by Pakistan-China submarine deal. Retrieved on October 21, 2016, from http://www.morningledger.com/india-pakistan-china-deal/13113100/
[19] Asian Defence News, (2016, October 20). China confirms export of 8 submarines to Pakistan. Retrieved on October 21, 2016, from http://www.asian-defence.net/2016/10/china-confirms-export-of-8-submarines.html
[20] Bureau Report, (2016, October 19). Centre cheating provinces on CPEC, alleges Khattak. Retrieved on October 21, 2016, from https://www.dawn.com/news/1290907/centre-cheating-provinces-on-cpec-alleges-khattak
[21] The News, (2016, October 19). Govt cheating all federating units on CPEC: KP CM. Retrieved on October 21, 2016, from https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/158324-Govt-cheating-all-federating-units-on-CPEC-KP-CM