CPEC: the way forward

Financially, Pakistan is a weak federation with very few friends and numerous enemies. To undo our historical follies and develop the neglected parts of the country, we have a golden opportunity in the form of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The project has the potential to be a game changer. Unfortunately, the political leadership and the planners of the project have made it controversial; the CPEC has now become a bone of contention among the provinces.

On a recent visit to Balochistan, especially Gwadar, to get first-hand information and views regarding the CPEC, I met with all the stakeholders of the region: the military, political representatives, government officials, party heads, conservative religious right, progressive youth and the common people. On the positive side, they all supported the spirit of the project. However, like the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, they had some serious and genuine reservations about the project on technical grounds.

These objections can be addressed and consensus on the project is possible. However, what is required is unity and sagacity on the part of the leadership, to avoid vested interests and parochialism. I gave some workable suggestions during my speech in a seminar organised by the government of Balochistan in Gwadar. Some of what I said is as follows:

First, the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) – the decision-making body of the CPEC – is a highly undemocratic setup. China (a centralised government) has given representation to Xinjiang, an autonomous region, in the committee. But our federal and democratic government is reluctant to allow representation to the provinces. Giving proper representation to the four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir will create a sense of ownership of the project. It will also be helpful in resolving differences.

Second, the lack of transparency in the project leads to a trust deficit and controversy. To ensure transparency, all agreements, the MoUs of the project and the minutes of meetings of the JCC should be brought before the parliamentary committees.

Third, the genuine concerns of the people of Gwadar should be addressed. Their fear of being relegated to a minority status must be addressed through legislation.

Fourth, the people of Gwadar lack basic health facilities, education and clean water. If the Lahore Orange Line can be part of the CPEC, why not the provision of basic facilities for the people of Gwadar? Giving a special grant to Gwadar would have a great healing affect.

Fifth, the western four-lane road, which has been named the ‘Western Alignment’, is in fact not part of the CPEC project. KP Chief Minister Perviaz Khattak has said on record that the Chinese ambassador denied the presence of the western route. Similarly, this alignment was not discussed in the fifth JCC meeting that took place after the APC. Instead of the current four-lane road, the western route should be a proper six-lane motorway, west of the Indus, connecting Hasanabdal with Gwadar through Kohat, DIK and Zob. This will address the grievances of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and help connect us with Central Asia through multiple routs in Afghanistan.

Sixth, the eastern portion of the project already has the GT Road and a single-track railway line (ML-I). Work on the motorway under the CPEC has been started, while construction of a double track railway line is in the feasibility stage; both are part of the short-term projects of the CPEC. Work on the motorway of the eastern route should be sped up, though the doubling of the railway line should be a long-term project. In its place, in the short term, a Nowshera to Gwadar single-track railway line (west of the Indus) should be developed. It will help create some sort of parity on both sides of the Indus. Our government, however, seems to prefer the ML-1.

Seventh, the Khunjerab Railway line, running parallel to the Karakoram Highway and connecting Havelian to Khunjrab Pass, is technically weak. The Karakorum area is prone to natural disasters like landslides and earthquakes; at such times, both lines of communication with China (rail and road) will be blocked. For that reason, we need to look for an alternative. The best alternative – for which a feasibility report is already prepared but has been dumped somewhere – is a railway line connecting Gilgit with Shangla and Dargai via Shandor.

This line should be made part of the project and completed on a priority basis. It will also help connect the fruit market of Chitral and Swat with the world. It is pertinent to mention here that a great conspiracy is in the making across the border; the insurgency has shifted from the south of Afghanistan to the Kunar and Wakhan Corridor – close to Pakistan’s border. Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan will be exposed to conspiracies if we do not have an active presence in the region. The CPEC line in the region will signal our presence and strength.

Lastly, the CPEC has great security and strategic importance. For security concerns, we need a well-developed infrastructure and lines of communication on the western side of the Indus. The need for that was felt immediately after the 1965 war, when our roads and railway lines east of the Indus were under threat. No work was done on this then. And today, our army is stretched from east to west, with weak communication lines. The aforementioned routes will not only bring economic prosperity to the region, but will also be a great help in times of emergency.

In addition, the army has a better understanding of the internal and external dimensions of security. So it should be involved in the planning and execution stages of the project. For implementation, security and transparency, a CPEC authority must be formed, with representatives of all stakeholders.

To conclude, the CPEC is a once in a lifetime opportunity and no community can afford to lose it. It is capable of boosting our economic development and national integration. It needs to be shared equally, and should not be allowed to fall victim to short-sightedness and vested interests. Our leadership should also avoid putting all its eggs in a single basket on the eastern side of the Indus.

The writer works for Geo TV.

Email: saleem.safi@janggroup.com.pk