Amid the current political crisis in Pakistan, with Imran Khan vowing to storm the capital Islamabad to oust the Shehbaz Sharif-led government to regain power, China has not only made Islamabad realise its priorities, but also reminded of the commitments Islamabad stands on in relations to Chinese investments in the country.
It is a known fact that Chinese investments in Pakistan have been provided with assurances by the government and secured by the Pakistani armed forces.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concluded his maiden visit to China at a time when 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China also successfully concluded. The importance of relations between the two countries can be signified by these two major events.
It would not be wrong to say that Pakistan's uncertain political situations in the past have been responded to by a more certain standing and clear approach by Beijing, which has very much been significant in shaping up the country's domestic and foreign policies.
Pakistan's crippling economy has once again been shouldered by China as it plays a crucial role in pushing Islamabad's economy towards recovering stability with another bailout package worth $9 billion in terms of investments.
"China will continue its fundamental policy of opening up and provide new opportunities to Pakistan and the rest of the world through continuous development," stated Chinese President Xi Jinping during his meeting with Shehbaz Sharif.
With China's massive business investments under its 'One Belt One Road' (OBOR) initiative, China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has not only been unique as it has helped Beijing in having a major say in important political and foreign policy based decision in the country but also has been able to activate immediate and more practical response from the power centres of the country, who are guarantors of the billion dollars worth of investments.
The business relationship between the two countries certainly meets more to the interests of China and helps sustain the deteriorating economy of Pakistan. CPEC continues to spread its branches with intent to extend itself into Afghanistan. While Pakistan looks to ingest more development projects into the programme to increase the domain of Chinese investments in the country.
Most importantly, the close communication and coordination between the two countries on security matters, concerns on which have been addressed in relation to CPEC project security parameters and also in terms of the political instability in the country; China has been able to use its influence to weather political storms in the past in Pakistan.
The recent terror attack by a Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) affiliated female suicide bomber in Karachi prompted a strong response from China, which refused to initiate CPEC projects until security of its nationals was fully guaranteed and Pakistan agreed to further strengthen capabilities of the law enforcement agencies and the investigators.
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In view of increasing incidents of terrorism, involving the non-corridor projects, Pakistan had proposed the establishment of a separate joint working group for coordination on security efforts. But it was mutually decided that a Joint Technical Expert Working Group (JTEWG) would be established for the security of non-CPEC projects. The JTEWG would evaluate the services of private security companies.
Pakistan's reliance on China for its energy needs, financial bailouts, development-based investments and projects etc has certainly pushed it to a more compromising position. However, many believe that the China-Pakistan relationship has always been strong because of the trust and reliability both sides enjoy.
Pakistan has extended its support to China in various matters, while China has been constant in siding with Pakistan on many matters related to economy, foreign policy and terrorism at global platforms.
Shehbaz Sharif targeting India to blunt Imran Khan's narrative
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had recently demanded the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Umar Ata Bandial to constitute a "full court commission" to probe allegations levelled by PTI Chairman Imran Khan wherein he accused the premier, interior minister and a senior military official of orchestrating the failed assassination attempt on him, a media outlet reported.
The Prime Minister lashed out at PTI chief Imran Khan for accusing him and the senior military official of orchestrating the failed assassination bid on him during the long march, saying that India is using his statement to target Pakistan's institutions, Express Tribune reported.
Sharif slammed the PTI chief for his comments against state institutions, particularly Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and his family and lamented about enemy nations "celebrating" the critical situation in Pakistan, Geo News reported.
"What else would an enemy country like India want? They are celebrating today. India's TV channels are excited to see Khan speak ill about the ISI and military institutions as (the PTI chief) is levelling severe allegations against them that one couldn't even think about," Sharif said, deeming Khan an "idol of lies - from tip to toe", Geo News reported.
Trying to manage a country hurtling from crisis to crisis, Sharif lamented Pakistan is seen as a country "always asking for money".
In September, Sharif had presented a dismal picture of the country's economy and regretted that friendly countries had started looking at Pakistan as a country that was always asking for money, Dawn reported.
"Today, when we go to any friendly country or make a phone call, they think that we have come (to them) to beg for money," the Prime Minister regretted while addressing a lawyers' convention.
He said that even smaller economies had surpassed Pakistan, "and we have been wandering for the past 75 years carrying a begging bowl". There were countries in the region whose GDP was lower than Pakistan's growth, but currently they were far ahead in terms of export, he told lawyers, Dawn reported.
"Where does Pakistan stand today after 75 years? This is a pinching question. We are moving in a circle all the time," said Sharif, while declaring that they were in a 'now or never' situation.
He said the country had the potential but "there is a lack of will to do".
Sharif said that the country's economy was already facing a "challenging situation" before the floods, which had made it more "complicated".
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He has left for London after concluding his two-day trip to Egypt on Wednesday, where he attended the COP27 climate conference.
With PML-N supremo and elder brother Nawaz Sharif residing in London since November 2019 and the party's vice-president, Maryam Nawaz joining her father in October, the premier's trip to the metropolis has given rise to speculation that important decisions would be made during the visit, Dawn reported.
This is Shehbaz Sharif's third trip to London since he assumed the country's top office in April and comes ahead of the appointment of the new army chief, with Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa's tenure set to end on November 29.
