Pakistan due to its strategic geopolitical significance possesses the rank of a pivot in Asian Pacific juncture in international politics. It is boarded by South Asia, Central Asia, the Arab World and China, and connects the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf. Unpredictable geopolitics, energy shortage, lower level of investment in human development, lower priority of education & health, inadequate infrastructure and transportation system are the issues of economic short fall from its full potential. Emerging multi-polar system advanced the urge of interdependence among states, and started to develop its diplomatic relations with each other on the basis of geostrategic, geopolitical and geo-economics’ interests.
Earlier, Pak-China cooperation was confined to political and military affairs. Changing dynamics in world arena have compelled them to realize the need to develop economic relations and gain maximum benefit of their long standing trust to compete the emerging international scenario. CPEC is a step towards regional connectivity and economic development, it will not only help the two countries but it would be more beneficial for the land-locked Central Asian countries and Afghanistan after becoming the part of it. CPEC is essential for the achievements in 3Es (Energy, Economy, and Environment) in the region. Through CPEC Pakistan is going to become an economic hub for South, Central Asia and Middle East bridging Europe, North Africa and African continent to fully enjoy the fruits of CPEC. Pakistan is keen to support a new paradigm of peaceful co-existence that benefits all the countries. Pakistan is not only deepening its ties with China, but also reinforcing its bilateral relations with all the mentioned states. Pakistan is now paying special attention to expand its relations in the areas of trade, industry, investment, science and technology, and narcotics control, environment, and human resource developments. Pakistan also needs to diversify its geo-strategic possibilities and also seek every opportunity for improvement of its bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Bilateral relations of Pakistan-Russian, Pakistan-Germany, Pakistan-Britain apart from south Asian countries is a sign of confidence world showing towards Pakistan which is far better than in the past. Russia considers connecting itself with the CPEC for its trade to India, Afghanistan and rest of the region. German investors have shown interest in Pakistan’s energy sector. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom is financing 59km-long Hassanabdal-Havelian Expressway (E-35) to get benefit through promoting regional connectivity, economic growth and stability in Pakistan.
Fastest and reliable transportation for Gulf countries fuel supply to china via CPEC, it will reduce transportation distance roughly 10,000 kilometers to China from Middle East and Africa. Transit facilities for goods with storage, transportation and manufacturing for Pakistan, China and other countries in the region to the world market are added advantages. There are chances for the betterment of India-Pakistan relations. Likewise, there is probability of stability in Afghanistan.
Apparently, Pakistan is getting importance in global and regional politics with every passing day. It is a right time for Pakistani decision-making elites to make foreign policy objective more explicit to avoid any confrontation in the rapidly changing power politics. On the diplomatic front, the decision of Pakistan’s political and military establishment to tackle Yemen conflict diplomatically is a welcome move. Environmental policy must be developed as building coal power plants in Punjab and Sindh, developing road infrastructure, railway infrastructure, massive seaport transportation, emergence of dozens of new industrial zones, deforestation, climate change and endless road transportation are the issues to be kept in mind earlier and devise and effective environmental policy to safe guard the region. Paris environmental summit was an eye opening to the developed nations but countries like Pakistan must ensure the environmental protection before going for such game changer scenario.
KPK government’s billion tree project on emissions reductions and other actions to preserve environment appreciated worldwide. It is not enough, government of other provinces also need to take such initiative for promoting forestry to reduce emissions and deforestation before the conditions gets out of control. This practice will attract the foreign investor’s confidence to work in ecofriendly region. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) another main department to be consulted before the finalization of economic zones, ports, railway tracks, power projects etc. Prior to NDMA clearance no work should be carried out in CPEC. The need of transparent/corruption free with the minimum risk factor is essential. NDMA should be revamped for this purpose accordingly (if required) through training and providing advanced technology to institutionalize the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and prepared well in time for the unforeseen disaster in future.
By: Atif R. Mazari