Daily Times

It was, perhaps, only a matter of time. Before Chinese engineers believed themselves to be above the law of this foreign land.

Nevertheless, the video footage showing CPEC-contracted workers coming to physical blows with the Punjab police is alarming on several fronts. The ruckus reportedly kicked off when the former, working on the M4 Bahawalpur-Faisalabad Motorway, wanted to leave the camp’s premises unescorted by security detail.

Firstly, the police were simply doing their job. Given that Pakistan has mortgaged its future to Beijing — the civil-military leadership has prioritised the security of Chinese nationals; several of whom have been targeted by ISIS in other areas of the country. Thus foreign workers need to be mindful of this. And if they had wanted to leave security behind this should have been communicated by way of a request to higher authorities; and in good time. It is most unfair to not follow procedure and then take it out on those whose job it is to protect.

Secondly, there have been media reports that the engineers had planned to visit Khanewal’s red-light district. If true, this is unacceptable. And by this we, here at Daily Times, are referring to the commodification of women being bought and sold on the open market.

Thirdly, the entire incident ought to come as a belated wake-up call for Islamabad. For the engineers reportedly retaliated by cutting power supplies to the police camp located within the main compound. And as if that were not enough, they also effectively went on strike; leaving heavy machinery and vehicles abandoned at various points. This suggest a risky future whereby all the power is more or less concentrated in the hands of a visiting workforce.

Nevertheless, the Pakistani government shares some of the blame. For it might have wanted to fully decolonise its mind following its last encounter with Empire before this time actively courting a new master. Colonisation is not for the faint-hearted. And this is something that Pakistan should have learned better than most.

And as for Beijing, it will undoubtedly have to come up with something better than an advert for biryani if it wants to rebuild its soft power here.  *

Published in Daily Times, April 6^th 2018.