Daily Times

Since the inception, CPEC is victim of credit game among political parties. It has become fashioned among parties to claim the status of champion of the CPEC designing and implementation. It is evident from the campaigns and rhetoric of all political parties. They try to assign paramount importance to their party for conceiving and successful implementation of CPEC. Every party also claims that the cooperation between China and Pakistan is its party’s initiative and party is essential for future cooperation. Howbeit, China does not assign such importance to any political party. Although, China respects every party and always remain ready to work with any party, but China gives prime importance only to the State of Pakistan and people of Pakistan. China always define cooperation with the lenses of statehood and people.

China never picks sides because it is against their diplomatic norms and policy. It is also against the vision of President Xi Jinping and Go Global 2.0 policy of China. Chinese foreign policy follows the basic principle of non-interference in other countries and their domestic affairs. China gives supreme importance to the sovereignty of other countries. It is evident from the days of non-alignment movement and China’s role in this movement.Currently the principle has been more clearly described in Go Global 2.0 policy and actions. The policy is clear about the economic linkages and engagement with local actors. It provides guidelines for smooth business operations and non-alignment with any political or other actor.

President Xi’s philosophy is even more clear on this dimension of Chinese diplomacy. President Xi does not want to see Chinese companies or institutions to involve in local politics or credit game. He wants China to be gelling factor not dividing factor. President Xi is staunch opponent of interference. He always advocates for space for developing countries to decide their fate and engagement. He also follows the policy of Three World by Chairman Mao. Hence, Chinese companies keeps working with all stakeholders irrespective of their affiliations. We have observed this phenomenonduring the implementation of CPEC. China was cooperating with PML-N during their government and provided all sort of support. China continued to cooperate with the new government of PTI government and now it is expanding cooperation.

The inclusion of independent voices will help Pakistan to counter the propaganda and diffuse the credit game. As, think tanks being independent voices will compel opponents and political parties to talk on the basis of facts and figure not whim

Hence, all parties should keep in mind China is not here to pick the side or give preference to any party over other parties. Moreover, parties should also need to absorb that fact thatCPEC is not baby of any party. It is outcome of continuous work of two countries which is expanded over the decades. The story of modern cooperation started with first visit of Chinese Prime Minister Zhou Enlai to Pakistan. Although both countries were in close contact, but this visit paved way for the future cooperation. Pakistan and China settled border issues and it was milestone in the flourishing relation. The relationship between continued to grow and culminated into CPEC.

Besides, late Akram Zaki was of the point of view that CPEC is extension of air corridor, which Pakistan provided to China in early 1960s. Besides, he was of the view that road corridor is old dream of China. He quoted the example of Karakorum Highway as a practical example. He also traced back the interest of China in Gwadar port to the ground breaking of Gwadar Port in 2002 and presence of Chinese Vice Prime Minster. According to him Pakistan and China were working for long time to convert their relation into sound economic integration and CPEC is outcome of that work.

The second, concrete example on this front can be quoted from the President Musharraf era. The comparison between Long-Term Plan of CPEC and Beijing Declaration shows that the both documents have striking similarities. Thus, it is believed that the Beijing Declaration is a first practical step towards China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC). President Musharraf and President Hu Jintao asked for working together to benefit from geographical and political advantages. It was committed that both countries will forge cooperation in the field of economy, trade, investment agriculture, science and technology and tourism. Both sides also agreed to develop mechanisms for regular coordination and consultation for developing mutually beneficial programs and projects. Industrial development and free economic zones were also included in the priority list. Pakistan and China also started to negotiate Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was signed by President Musharraf and President Hu Jintao in 2006. Both leaders also signed the Framework Agreement on Energy Cooperation in 2006. In 2005-2006 first presentation was given to top leadership on CPEC Route by Planning Commission of Pakistan.

President Zardari during his tenure also visited China many times to enhance cooperation in different fields. He was more focused on economic cooperation and he asked Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan. President Zardari claimed it is legacy of PPPP, as the party says that founder of party Mr. Bhutto had a special love for China and Chinese system. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also visited China to look for economic cooperation. President Xi welcomed Pakistan and announced to start a joint program for economic cooperation with name of CPEC.

This brief analysis shows that every party and ruler of country contributed in strengthening cooperation, which led to the creation of CPEC. Hence, no party can claim that CPEC is their brainchild. Thus,it is advisable for all parties to come out of this mind set of self-assumed importance.The credit game will not take country anywhere. It will only lead to compromising the implementation of CPEC. We have already witnessed this phenomenon during the route controversy. Pakistan lost good time to settle the route controversy. It also provided opportunity to opponents to run smear campaign against the CPEC. The continuation of the practice of credit game will again affect the pace of CPEC and strengthen the hand of the opponents and provide them material for propaganda. Therefore, parties should join hands for successful implementation of CPEC.

Although, it is job of every party to create consensus on CPEC, but government will have to play the prime role. Government will have to devise the mechanisms for the building consensus and to eliminate the credit game. One suggestion would be to create a CPEC Planning and Execution Group which should be comprised of all political parties. The group should not be comprised of parliamentarians, it should only include the party representatives. As parliament has its own committee with the name of CPEC Parliamentary Committee. CPEC Authority being the focal body at this point of time, should be assigned this task on urgent basis.CPEC Authority should contact all parties and ask them to be part of group. The key job of group would be to assist CPEC authority in the decision making and implementation process without any prejudices.

Second, suggestion would be to engage Pakistan-China Business Council. The Council should be given the task to assist CPEC Authority on business rationales and try to diffuse any politics on business ventures under CPEC.

Thirdly, important area would be to engage youth, especially the un-educated, marginalized and Madrassa youth. It would be key element to counter propaganda and misuse of power by parties. It is heartening to note that CPEC Authority is cognizant of fact and has started a youth internship program. It is hoped that this internship program will help create a group young group with expertise on China and CPEC, which would help implement CPEC according to true spirit of cooperation.

Fourth, suggestion would be to create a monitoring and evaluation committee. The M&E committee should be comprised of Prime Minister, head of eight political parties and three institution’s head. CPEC authority should be assigned the job of secretary of committee and provide all required information for evidence-based decision making.

Lastly, engage the independent think tanks to provide expert view and assist the CPEC Authority, group and committee in devising policies and implementation plans. The inclusion of independent voices will help Pakistan to counter the propaganda and diffuse the credit game. As, think tanks being independent voices will compel opponents and political parties to talk on the basis of facts and figure not whim.

The writer is Director, Asia Study Center SDPI