China’s defense of the development of CPEC against the Indian claims was the top story of last week. The Ministry of Interior has finally issued a notification to establish Special Security Division (SSD) for the security of workers engaged in CPEC projects. The Chief Minister (CM) of Indian-held Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, has proposed that a trade corridor – with Kashmir as its ‘nucleus’ – should be established to connect South Asia with Central Asia. Khyber Pakhtnkhwa’s CM, Pervez Khattak, has said that the western route is now part of the CPEC and everything is on paper. Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Police have claimed to have arrested a group of people financed by India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) to sabotage the CPEC.

China Defends CPEC:

China has stood in defense of CPEC against the Indian criticism. In a veiled reference to New Delhi‘s concerns over CPEC’s passage through Kashmir, Narendra Modi had said that “[R]espect for sovereignty is important for regional connectivity to improve.”[1] He had added that both India and China “need to show sensitivity and respect for each other‘s concerns and interests.” In response to Modi’s remarks, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunyung said that CPEC “is a project that is devised for long term development and cooperation in various fields.” He further said that “[I]t is for regional pace and development.” However India didn’t stop there and Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar retorted that “CPEC passes through a territory that we see as our territory.” Although China has maintained that Pakistan and India should resolve Kashmir issue in peaceful manner through mutual dialogue, it has in practice backed the stance of Pakistan. Both the neighbors have sped up progress on the corridor that also passes through Indian-claimed territory.

Security Division for CPEC:

The Ministry of Interior has issued a notification to establish SSD for the security of workers engaged in CPEC projects. The division will be deployed after the requisition from provinces is achieved by the federal government.[2] It was decided in August 2016 that SSD would include 15,000 troops (9,000 Pakistan Army soldiers and 6,000 para-military forces personnel) and it was allocated Rs.1.3 billion. The main task of SSD is to provide full protection to the Chinese nationals working in Pakistan on the CPEC project. Chinese nationals have come under attacks many times in Pakistan by the militant and terrorist elements. But Islamabad has taken the issue rather seriously and left no stone unturned to ensure the safety of Chinese workers. The efforts seem to be paying off as Chinese officials recently expressed their satisfaction with the security measures in Pakistan.[3]

Mufti Inspired by CPEC:

The CM of Indian-held Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, has proposed that a trade corridor -with Kashmir (both Pakistan- and India-held Kashmir) as its ‘nucleus’- should be established to connect South Asia with Central Asia.[4] Her idea is basically inspired by the CPEC. She reckoned that “[T]he oil and gas resources of Central Asia are the nearest and most economical answers to South Asian energy needs and J&K can help foster energy cooperating in the region.” Mufti added that such a corridor (between South Asia and Central Asia) will “supplement the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor through this part of Kashmir.” Such a positive depiction of the CPEC by the top level official of Indian-held Kashmir has in fact political undertones that complicate India’s assertions against, and opposition of, CPEC.

Western Route:

KP’s CM, Pervez Khattak, has said that the western route is now part of the CPEC and everything is on paper.[5] He was briefing his party chairman Imran Khan and chief secretary Jehangir Tareen. Khattak noted that another route of CPEC as an alternative would start from Gilgit, pass through Shandur and Chitral and terminate at Chakdara. A Memorandum of Understanding to this effect would soon be signed with Chinese companies. His statements show a major shift in his provincial government’s stance. KP has long complained against the center that the western route has been willfully neglected while projects in Punjab are prioritized. However, since the participation in the sixth Joint Cooperation Committee in Beijing, KP’s CM has shown that his province is content with the progress on western route. The expression of satisfaction on the part of KP’s government is a positive development for the national consensus on CPEC.

Anti-CPEC Plan Foiled:

Inspector General GB, Zafar Iqbal Awan, revealed that police have arrested a group of people financed by Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) to sabotage the CPEC.[6] The IG said that “[W]e have arrested 12 members of a gang and have also recovered weapons from their possession.” Members of the alleged group belong to the Balawaristan National Front (BNF) from Yasin Valley of Ghizer district in GB and its chief in Belgium was funded to the tune of Rs.300 million by RAW.[7] Police had seized a large quantity of weapons from their possession and identified 60 other people involved in the conspiracy. Pakistani officials have claimed that India has been involved in activities to subvert the development projects of CPEC. Last year, an Indian intelligence official was arrested in Balochistan. Taking all such foreign threats into consideration, Pakistan has stepped up security measures for the CPEC and formulated a special division of armed personnel for this purpose.

Miscellaneous:

The CM of GB, Hafeez-ur-Rehman, has said that 180 megawatt power project was approved exclusively for GB.[8] President Azad Jammu and Kashmir Masood Khan has termed CPEC as a ray of hope for Balochistan, Kashmir and the rest of the country.[9]

This report is compiled and written by Abdur Rehman Shah, Research Associate at the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Islamabad.

[1] Our Correspondent. (2017, January 20). China defends CPEC; India claims it passes through its territory. Retrieved January 23, 2017, from http://www.dawn.com/news/1309370/china-defends-cpec-india-claims-it-passes-through-its-territory

[2] Dawn.com. (2017, January 22). Notification for CPEC security force issued by interior ministry. Retrieved January 23, 2017, from http://www.dawn.com/news/1310032

[3] Radio Pakistan. Special Security Division established to protect CPEC projects. Retrieved January 23, 2017, from http://www.radio.gov.pk/22-Jan-2017/special-security-division-established-to-protect-cpec-projects

[4] Our Correspondent. (2017, January 19). Mehbooba sees Kashmir as hub for Central Asia trade. Retrieved January 23, 2017, from http://www.dawn.com/news/1309188/mehbooba-sees-kashmir-as-hub-for-central-asia-trade

[5] Our Correspondednt. (2017, January 17) Western route now part of CPEC: Khattak. Retrieved on January 23, 2017, from http://epaper.tribune.com.pk/DisplayDetails.aspx?ENI_ID=11201701190340&EN_ID=11201701190122&EMID=11201701190054

[6] Mir, Shabbir. (2017, January 18). Police bust RAW-funded ring of saboteurs in G-B. Retrieved January 23, 2017, from http://tribune.com.pk/story/1299975/breakthrough-gilgit-police-bust-raw-funded-ring-saboteurs/

[7] Nagri, J. (2017, January 19). RAW-funded anti-CPEC plan foiled in Gilgit, claim police. Retrieved January 23, 2017, from http://www.dawn.com/news/1309395/raw-funded-anti-cpec-plan-foiled-in-gilgit-claim-police

[8] Maqsood, Fawad. (2017, January 17). 180 MW power generation project approved under CPEC for GB:CM. Retrieved January 23, 2017, from http://www.brecorder.com/pakistan/general-news/334849-180-mw-power-generation-project-approved-under-cpec-for-gbcm.html

[9]   Our Correspondent. (2017, January 20). Kashmir issue: CPEC a ray of hope, says AJK President. (2017, January 19). Retrieved January 23, 2017, from http://tribune.com.pk/story/1301341/kashmir-issue-cpec-ray-hope-says-ajk-president-2/