Daily Times

“The Die is Cast”, these words became a phrase in the English language as Shakespeare’s Cesar crossed the river Rubicon upon his march against Rome. In 2015, a similar die was cast when two iron brothers envisaged a new reality of a shared future. Perhaps the phrasal cloak fully fits the embodiment of the bond which Pakistan and China Shares as there is no going back from this joint venture and the only path is marching forward together.

Nevertheless, there had been murmurings from the moment Imran Khan and his party crowned with a win that CPEC would become a peripheral vision now. But with time and how PTI dealt with the mega-investment project,it was evident that CPEC is for Pakistan and there is a national consensus on it rather any particular political interest. Without any doubt every political party assent to CPEC. The CPEC Authority bill in this regard is a clear indicator where an exclusive body for the oversight of the administration, management, planning, and implementation was established which is independent in its course.

Amid to pandemic and changing geopolitical global cogs, the CPEC is on the priority by both the countries. Moreover, new alterations in the geopolitical mapping are proving that what Beijing and Islamabad envisioned was a lucrative bet. The regional developments too are going in favor of CPEC and Pakistan. The sensible decisions at this point can do wonders for Pakistan. With the Afghan peace Process going in the west, positive happenings will illuminate the future of Afghanistan. If things work out successfully, the right moves can thrust Pakistan into the front in the region making it an epicenter for global strategic activities. If things work out and there could be the way that Afghanistan becomes part of CPEC the region can surely come to the global forefront. Not just Afghanistan but Iran too can take advantage of the mega-project as this trio of neighbors can usher under CPEC or some other cross country or cross-regional economic corridor.

It is high time that Pakistan can cash its friendly relations with Iran and Afghanistan and if successfully maneuvered can give New Delhi a serious setback to be left alone in the regional chessboard

On the Iranian side, the recent inclination and improvement of ties can prove to be beneficial for Pakistan as the Chahbahar venture is fading and US sanctions have opened doors of collaboration between Tehran and Beijing. Recently reported by Foreign Policy that China and Iran are concluding a 25 years strategic partnership plan which not only will aid the trembling economy of Tehran, but this strategic partnership will also include security as well. If this strategic partnership sets stones of collaboration between Beijing and Tehran, then it will have far-reaching implications for not only the region but also for the world as well. Moreover, if the pact concludes, it indeed is a fair deal for Tehran given the current gasps it is taking.

It is high time thatPakistan can cash its friendly relations with Iran and Afghanistan and if successfully maneuveredcan give New Delhi a serious setback to be left alone in the regional chessboard. Now is the right time for Pakistan to mark its presence ever more glimmering. India’s uncertain global behavior is a dream ticket for Pakistan. Instead of a military adventure with India, Pakistan should minimize the Indian role in global politics through diplomacy and economic stealthiness. If CPEC expands from a bi-national to a regional or cross-regional economic corridor, it can push India far behind in the race.

The iron brothers with each other’s help have the potential to steer the course of regional economic, political, and strategic activities. The recent visit by Pakistan’s foreign minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi to meet his Chinese counterpart on the diplomatic chapter of strategic dialogue between both the countries was fruitful. In a joint communique,along with the agreement on convening the 10th meeting of JCC, Joint Cooperation Committee, it was brought to light that both parties will collectively ensure measures that will safeguard the common interest and promote peace, prosperity, and development in the region. Such visits are arranged from time to time to further strengthen the iron bond and rebut all the propaganda based on disdain. The communique also highlighted that CPEC and Sino-Pak Cooperation not only serves mutual interests but is valuable regional as well as international peace and stability.

The two counties have vowed for further strengthening of all-round cooperation, maintaining the momentum of high-level exchanges, promotion of bilateral relations to higher levels, and enhancing mutual strategic trust. Not only that, but the two countries had also agreed to continue their support on issues of each other’s national interest. The statement had also urged the global community for shared development. Both Islamabad and China welcome the international community to join CPEC construction.

Sabah Aslam is the Founder & Executive Director of Islamabad Institute of Conflict Resolution (IICR) and was member visiting faculty Dept. of Peace & Conflict Studies, NUML, and School of Politics & IR, Quaid-I- Azam University, Islamabad