Defending the Corridors of Prosperity

Defending the Corridors of Prosperity

A Step Forward toward a Secure CPEC

By 

    Dr. Sania Nazir Chaudhry

    Expert on Governance

    Reforms and Public Policy

    drsaniachaudhry@gmail.com

Pakistan has immense potential to progress and prosper in the 21st Century. The recent inflow of foreign investment from Saudi Arabia, Russia and UAE and more MOUs in the pipeline from Turkey, Qatar and Malaysia indicate that Pakistan is an emerging front line economy in the world. The geostrategic position gives it several advantages while at the same time rendering it vulnerable to the hostilities of neighbouring adversaries. The development that is taking place as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor for the last few years has sustained amidst controversies and confusion; political instability and security concerns; money laundering, loot and Plunder and panama chronicles.

The evolving New World Order is a constant source of jolts and tremors in this region as attempts by Western powers is made to control the Chinese hegemony in this part of the world. One school of thought theorizes that the Saudi investment was realized only after securing Trump blessings to neutralize the dominance of Chinese investment in Pakistan. Saudi participation in CPEC is expected to neutralize the Chinese dominance in this region’s economy and Pakistan’s dependence on China to kick starts its bleeding economy. The race to the Warm Waters could not be won by war but a breakthrough was finally realized by warm friendship. What Russian-Afghan War destruction and American reconstruction in Afghanistan failed to achieve; was accomplished by deep friendship through a program of economic development in the region. Time and again efforts have been made by global players to sabotage peace and prosperity in the region to tarnish the international image of Pakistan. One such attempt was foiled by a brave son of the soil squadron leader Hassan Siddiqui whose JF-17 Thunder air combat plane struck down an SU-30 and MIG-2000 that were invading the air space of Pakistan challenging the sovereignty of the country. While crossfire continues along the Line of Control and the eastern borders, the project of CPEC progresses with each passing day towards it optimum functionality. As the Armed Forces of Pakistan foil every strategy of our adversary in air, sea and on land to defend the dignity and dominion of the homeland, the message is loud and clear to an entire world that we are a peaceful nation and will not bear any meddling or dirty tricks to halt a nation beginning a fresh journey to prosperity.

CPEC is an opportunity that has come Pakistan’s way because of its geostrategic position. The defence capability and readiness of battle-hardened armed forces and the national unity exhibited by all diverse stakeholders has sent positive signals to the world that Pakistan will not allow its peace and security to be undermined by forces unhappy with the potential and prospects of economic development that lie ahead. The current political set up is Characterized by a ‘Made in Pakistan’ government for a change. This weakens the probability of 5th Generation Warfare that has been in discussion following the disappointing diplomatic and economic performance of the earlier governments. Regardless of differences; all political parties, media, government and the society are on the same page and fully support the armed forces in securing the borders and protecting the sovereignty of the land. The diplomatic endeavors of the new government have built a positive perception of Pakistan on the world Scene. The early release of the Prisoner of War Indian Pilot also went a long way to create a soft image of a country that has often been portrayed as a safe haven for terrorists and alleged to be at the root of international terrorist activity; when the stark reality is that it has been a victim of cross border terrorist activities and has suffered heavy casualties in the ongoing ‘War on Terror’.

The success of the new government in bringing home over 35 billion dollars of investment in addition to the projects being currently pursued under CPEC was not a happy situation on for India. The upcoming elections provided a pretext to score and secure votes with the objective to retain the government for the next tenure. Till the elections are held the cross border conflict is expected to continue and further prolongation will depend on the result of the election, if held. The current conflict may also be used as an excuse to declare emergency to postpone the elections for the time being. The chance of an escalation of this conflict between the two nuclear powers hovers in the horizon. All actors on the world stage are making efforts to deescalate tension in the region so that sense may prevail in the interest of the entire world community. There is enough poverty, hunger and disease in the world and it surely does not need any more catastrophes at this moment. It is worth mentioning that in case of any escalation it is India that has much more to lose as it is the bigger economy. Any prolonged tension in the sub-continent will bring more disease, drought and death in this part of the world which already is an under developed area, although rhetoric may not prefer the use of the word ‘under developed’; the reality prevails.

The sooner the reality of CPEC is acknowledged by all, the easier it will be for our adversaries to accept that it is time for Pakistan to exit the quagmire of economic plight and poor governance and move ahead. Soon enough freight traffic at the Gwadar port will be picking up as policy matters are resolved one after the other. When dust settles over the geopolitical environment in Indo-Pak-Afghan region it will be crystal clear that it is Pakistan’s turn to progress. The phenomenon of ‘leap-frog’ is common in business process re-engineering in Organizational Transformation. Pakistan is currently undergoing transformation as government is being run differently to how it was done by the other political parties. The country is moving in the right direction and it is only a matter of time before results start to appear.

The combination of being an Islamic Country that has also demonstrated nuclear capability.

The nation lives in a paradox of being a victim of state terrorism and alleged.