Can China Easily Give Up CPEC in Pakistan?
Experts believe that the US and India could be backing elements involved in attacking the Chinese convoy.
By Newztodays Team
As the Shahbaz-led government gears up for the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), disgruntled elements have become active in sabotaging it. But the question remains: Can China easily give up CPEC in Pakistan?
Perhaps not. China has a significant stake in CPEC, with dreams of extending its reach to Central Asian States through Afghanistan.
With Shahbaz returning to the government, hopes are high, and the Prime Minister has announced that Pakistan is eager to move forward with the second phase of CPEC.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani government has also announced plans to create five new corridors under CPEC.
China and Pakistan aim to extend CPEC strategically to connect China, Pakistan, and Central Asian states.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is known to be very close to the Chinese leadership due to his development agenda.CPEC Phase 2: Pakistan, China Ramp Up for Five New Economic Corridors
On the other hand, the Biden administration seems to favor Shahbaz Sharif over former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Shortly after these developments, terrorists attacked a Chinese engineers’ convoy on Tuesday, apparently aiming to sabotage plans for the second phase of CPEC.
The Pakistani government had assured the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that it would not pour more funds into CPEC projects.
The IMF is considered by some to be a monetary tool of the US to control various developed economies like Pakistan.
In this scenario, experts believe that the United States and India could be behind terrorist activities, such as attacking Chinese engineers, to sabotage the second phase of CPEC.
The Pakistan army has vowed to deal with terrorists involved in attacking Chinese engineers firmly, with or without direct support from China, whom they declare as an iron-clad ally.
This declaration comes after a suicide bomber rammed a vehicle into a convoy of Chinese engineers working on a dam project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulting in the deaths of six people.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that recent terrorist incidents in Pakistan, notably in Gwadar, Turbat, and Besham, aimed to destabilize internal security.
The ISPR noted that while the armed forces successfully thwarted the first two attempts, the latest incident in Besham resulted in the deaths of six innocent civilians, including five Chinese nationals.
Strategic projects and sensitive sites are crucial for Pakistan’s economic progress and the well-being of its people, according to the ISPR.
Certain foreign elements with vested interests are aiding and abetting terrorism in Pakistan, the ISPR added.
The military media wing pledged solidarity with China and condemned the cowardly act unequivocally, affirming Pakistan’s determination to eradicate the threat of terrorism.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the Chinese embassy to convey condolences over the killing of Chinese nationals in the Bisham terrorist attack.
During the attack, Chinese embassy officials were in a meeting with the Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, regarding the Gwadar Power Plant.
The Pakistani minister directed authorities to expedite the construction of the Gwadar Power Plant, a crucial project under CPEC.
The Gwadar Power Plant, a 300MW coal power project, is being developed by M/s CIHC Pak Power Company (Pvt) Limited and is a priority project within CPEC.
This project is considered key for the energy infrastructure and economic development of the region.
The minister emphasized that Gwadar is the gateway of CPEC and highlighted the government’s efforts to implement phase 2 of CPEC while focusing on five new economic corridors.
With Shahbaz Sharif in power, interactions between US Ambassador and Chinese embassy officials have become routine. Diplomats from both countries have been meeting with top authorities of the Shahbaz government.
The US ambassador has been assuring the government of collaboration, while Chinese diplomats have been active in executing the second phase of the CPEC project.
In this scenario, it seems unlikely that China will give up on CPEC. Chinese perseverance towards their expansionist dreams is well known.
