The week of June 20-26 was dominated by the Heads of State Summit in Tashkent this week, and progress on both CPEC and associated rhetoric dominated the news. Security related matters remained a tertiary concern.
Presidential Meetings
President Mamnoon Hussain and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping met in Tashkent. In meeting they reiterated their commitment to join hands to promote regional peace and stability. President Mamnoon Hussain appreciated Chinese support for the membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and Nuclear Supplier’s group (NSG). Pakistan also signed the Memorandum of Obligations (MoO) on Froiday with the objective of obtaining the full membership of the SCO at its Heads of State Summit in Tashkent.[1] Simultaneously, Chinese official media has endorsed for Pakistan’s inclusion in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). It has also supported Pakistan for authentication of its nuclear record.[2]
China was elected by a landslide vote, 182 out of 185 total votes cast, to become a member of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).[3]
China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
The government disapproved the condition of international competitive bidding in Chinese deals and permitted the construction of Eastbay expressway that would connect the Gwadar Port with the Makran Coastal Highway, passing along the Eastbay of the city of Gwadar.[4] This move is likely to continue to expedite progress on the CPEC, a crucial megaproject in collaboration with the Chinese government that promises to be a “game changer” for Pakistan. Additionally, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Huilai asserted that the government of china is all set to support Pakistan in possible manner for the effective implementation of the CPEC projects.[5]
Various statements from a range of notables this week also underlined the importance of CPEC for Pakistan. The Managing Director of Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) Nadeem Naqvi has claimed that market capital would increase beyond $100 billion if the government list mega infrastructure projects under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).[6] In a meeting with the Director Professor Zhang Yuzhou and her delegation from Tianjin University of Technology and Education, the Minister of State M. Baligh-ur-Rehman said that Pakistan and China were collaborating in nearly every field.[7] Meanwhile, the Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz underlined that the CPEC along with other various regional projects has promoted Pakistan’s position in the region,[8] and Senator Mushahid Hussain emphasized the significance of the CPEC and said that it is a centerpiece of Beijing’s One-Belt One-Road Initiative to promote the regional trade.[9] While a lot these statements are lip service, they do continue to underscore the sense of mutual respect and shared destiny between Pakistan and China.
In order to resolve the tax-related issues of the CPEC projects, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Chinese authorities would organize a meeting to discuss taxation issues.[10]
Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Chaudhry Barjees Tahir has emphasized significance of the CPEC projects and asserted that it would promote tourism contributing to the prosperity of the GB region.[11]
Foreign Interest in CPEC
To value the efforts of Pak-China enhancing bilateral terms, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has showed interest in investing in the CPEC and in Gwadar. However, it has not yet officially received any request from the federal government.[12]
Security
An official of Gilgit-Baltistan government, Mr. Faizullah Faraq declared that t total 300 police personnel have been appointed to ensure the security to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) route from Diamer to Hunza.[13] This is a part of massive, nationwide government strategy to ptovide foolp]roof security to Chinese officials.
Human Rights Record
China has been historically accused of various human rights violations. Even the death penalty, which is reportedly given out of thousands each year, remains a state secret, and despite estimates, the exact number of annual executions remains unknown. Amid this scrutiny and criticism, Chinese news agency Xinhua reports that according to the Assessment Report on the Implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2012-2015), around 4,000 missing children find their parents by the national anti-trafficking DNA database by the end of 2015. This is a good step towards improving China’s human rights record, but a lot more needs to be done in this regard.[14]
 
by Zeeshan Salahuddin, a journalist and researcher, who serves as a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Research and Security Studies, Islamabad, and holds a bachelor and master degree in strategic communications from Ithaca College, NY. He can be reached via zeeshan[dot]salahuddin[at]gmail.com and tweets @zeesalahuddin.
[1] http://www.dawn.com/news/1266986
[2] http://www.brecorder.com/general-news/172/59167/
[3] http://pakobserver.net/2016/06/16/china-elected-to-un-econo-social-council/
[4] http://tribune.com.pk/story/1122836/eccs-decisions-bidding-condition-waived-off-cpec-projects/
[5] http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/06/19/business/chinese-minister-hopeful-of-successful-completion-of-all-cpec-projects/
[6] http://www.brecorder.com/market-data/stocks-a-bonds/0/58793/
[7] http://www.brecorder.com/pakistan/politics-a-policy/304764-pakistan-china-collaborating-in-almost-every-sector-baligh.html
[8] http://www.radio.gov.pk/21-Jun-2016/govt-pursuing-foreign-policy-with-futuristic-approach-sartaj
[9] http://www.radio.gov.pk/21-Jun-2016/cpec-centrepiece-of-beijing-s-one-belt-one-road-initiative-mushahid
[10] http://www.brecorder.com/market-data/stocks-a-bonds/0/58777/
[11] http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/06/19/business/cpec-will-boost-living-standards-increase-tourism-in-gb/
[12] http://tribune.com.pk/story/1126603/awaiting-formal-request-adb-invest-cpec-gwadar-city-projects/
[13] http://nation.com.pk/national/22-Jun-2016/cpec-route-security-boosted-in-g-b
[14] http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2016-06/14/c_135435326.htm