China-Pakistan friendship car rally dominated the news this week. That Pakistan and China successfully conducted joint military exercises was overshadowed by the atrocious attack in Quetta. Politicians from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), once again, expressed their resentment about the negligence of western route in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Sale of Chinese products in India saw a sudden slump after calls for boycott. Finally, Pakistan and China started an art exhibition in Islamabad.
Balochistan; a trouble spot:
Balochistan came under horrifying terror attack. On Tuesday night, three heavily armed suicide attackers assailed a police academy in Quetta and killed 61 people and wounded 117 at least.[1] The government was quick to blame cross-border elements once again. While conveying the concerns of Pakistan to the US, National Security Advisor Lt Gen (Retd) Naseer Khan Janjua told the American ambassador, David Hale, “[T]here is a need to break the nexus of Afghanistan-based terrorist who are operating under the patronage of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and National Directorate of Security (NDS).[2] Before this heinous attack, two coast guards were gunned down on Sunday in the vicinity of Gwadar district.[3] Recurrent attack like these will cast serious doubts over Pakistan’s ability to maintain even a modicum of law and order so that CPEC can be secured against both the internal and external security threats.
Western Route:
It seems that differences regarding the western route are going nowhere. Parliamentary Committee on CPEC held a session on Wednesday to inform the members about progress on different facets of CPEC. The government’s response could not mollify opposition concerns. They complained that second part of route, i.e. Dera Ismail Khan to Khunjerab, was being ignored by the central government. Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) chief, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, told media that “[O]fficials concerned could not satisfy us as to why work has not started on the remaining portion of the western portion.”[4] Few days ago, Awami National Party’s provincial President and ex-Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ameer Haider Khan Hoti had warned the central government of severe consequences if the western route was not given its due priority.[5] Then KP Assembly Speaker Asad Qaisar announced that members of treasury and opposition will file a joint petition with the Peshawar High Court in pursuit of transparency regarding CPEC.[6]
China-Pakistan Friendship Car Rally:
A rally of 22 cars carrying 56 Chinese nationals entered Pakistan via Khunjerab Pass to highlight the decades-old friendship between two neighbors. The journey, sponsored by Ningxia Hui government and FAW automotive manufacturer had started in Yinchuan (capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region) on September 24.[7] The objective was to underscore the significance of CPEC by journeying along the ancient Silk Road. Ri Cheng Rong, the team leader said the journey on route was as “[S]mooth as silk.”[8] The participants visited historical sites of Multan, Lahore, Moenjodaro as well as the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi. Moreover, Sindh government hosted a dinner and held a welcome reception for the Chinese guests.[9] The whole journey of this rally through Pakistan was depicted very positively and warmly among the media and people. In fact, it was a step towards enhancement of cultural ties between the two ‘all-weather’ friends.
Chinese Sales Declining:
Sale of Chinese goods have seen sharp decline in the Indian domestic market. In the aftermath of increasing tensions between India and Pakistan and China’s alignment with Pakistan, some people in India have called for boycott of Chinese goods. According to Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), the campaign has “greatly impacted sale of Chinese goods this Diwali festival season as there is about 45 percent decline in demands by retailers.”[10] Earlier this week, Times of India had indicated the decline in demand for Chinese goods in India.[11] Indian politicians and social media have insisted that Chinese products should be abandoned in favor of local goods. China became top trade-partner of India in 2014. With $70.76 billion bilateral trade in 2015-16, the trade balance is heavily tipped in favor of China.[12]
‘Youyi-VI 2016’:
Pakistan and China have held the sixth round of joint military exercises termed as “Youyi-V 2016” at National Counter Terrorism Training Centre (NCTC) in Pabbi. The exercise lasted for two weeks and aimed at counterterrorism operations and sharing field combat experiences with each other.[13] Pakistan’s Army Chief Gen Raheel Shareef also visited the exercises and stated on the occasion that “such exercises would consolidate the special relationship with the Chinese armed forces and help eliminate terrorism from the region.”[14] The term ‘youyi’ means friendship in Chinese and was adopted in light of Pak-China decades-old friendship. The exercises were initiated in 2004 in China and Pak army became the first foreign army to have conducted any exercise on Chinese soil.[15] In all, three rounds have been hosted by China and three by Pakistan. These drills show increasing military-to-military and strategic cooperation between both the countries.
Roundups:
Chinese embassy and Pakistan’s Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage kick-started a ten-day joint exhibition of paintings, calligraphy and photographs to celebrate the 67th anniversary of China’s foundation.[16] Balochistan’s Chief Minister revealed that a Chinese company has submitted feasibility report regarding Quetta mass transit train system and firm’s delegation will be here to finalize the details of the project.[17] In addition, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan’s call for protest in, and lock down of, Islamabad has caused uncertainty and apprehensions.
This report is compiled by Abdur Rehman Shah, research associate at the Center for Research and Security Studies.
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