Altering reality

This refers to the editorial, ‘Altering reality‘ (May 16). The editorial has fallen prey to the government propaganda that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will bring huge trade benefits to Pakistan and provide China with easy access to Middle East and European markets. Nothing can be farther from the truth and reality.
There already exist reasonable road links between the two countries and the Transit Trade Agreement of March 9, 1995 and the protocol agreement of November 24, 1998 provide China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan free access to our ports. But no transit trade has taken place through this route so far. The Chinese population and economic activity are concentrated on its eastern coast. To use Pakistani ports, China will have to cross deserts and high mountains spread over more than 5,000 kilometres. Nothing will remain competitive after such a long and difficult road haulage. It is easy, fast, safe and cheap to ship goods to any place in the world. It is also a misconception that the Gwadar or Karachi ports will provide easy access to markets in Europe. China has already working on constructing rail and road links with Europe via Belarus and Poland. A weekly freight train between Germany and China supplies automobile parts and components to BMW’s plant in Shinyong (China). Use of Pakistani ports would not be more advantageous. The use of the corridor for trade with China will remain a pipe dream.
Abdul Majeed
Islamabad