Ever since the initiation of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013, different interpretations have been made of China’s intention by think tanks, media channels and researchers across the world. While the Chinese people regard this auspicious program booming its historical trade relations and friendship with the countries alongside the ancient Silk Road, some other countries critique BRI as China’s ambition to raise its geopolitical influence across Euro-Asia, that only benefits China at the expense of the participating countries.
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as the pilot project of BRI, has seemingly garnered special attention by the Western Media. Despite their lack of understanding in this project and due to minimal interest in what benefits CPEC will bring to the local people of both countries, some entities have been relentlessly questioning and distorting the objective of CPEC and misleading public opinions.
Echoing the mindset of some prominent western media channels, Michael Kovrig, Senior Adviser for North East Asia at Crisis Group, published an article on The Diplomat, titled “National Ambitions Meet Local Opposition along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.” This article was published on July 24th, 2018, just the day before the General Election of Pakistan, proposing several criticisms on the CPEC project in Balochistan, especially the Gwadar port.
To share his stance over negative propositions mentioned in the article, China Economic Net interviewed Mr. Muneer Kamal, the CEO of Karachi Education Initiative (KEI). Mr. Muneer is also former Chairman of National Bank of Pakistan, Chairman of Karachi Stock Exchange, and has held leadership positions at Citibank N.A., Faysal Bank, Union Bank, and KASB Bank.
Commenting on the news spreading pseudo notions, Mr. Muneer Kamal said, “Right from the beginning of this year, there have been multiple articles published in Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and New York Times etc. which indicate that with increasing success of BRI and CPEC, the anxiety level of Western Media channels is also escalating. They are getting apprehensive over where BRI is heading. Certainly since CEPC is the pilot project and flagship of BRI, they meticulously observe this project. I have read many newspapers and articles in the Western Media that spread false news, with no facts or figures about Balochistan, and the details about plans regarding establishment of Gwadar port.” Mr.Muneer Kamal clearly dismissed them all as fake news and expressed that the western media is deliberately trying to portray a distorted image of Pakistan.
The article questioned the plan on CPEC, quoting an anonymous expert on Gwadar who said that the government’s plan lacks even “Cosmetic Consultation”. Declaring this argument to be weak and irrational, Mr. Muneer said, “Whenever Western Media talks about Gwadar, it quotes an anonymous government official who has no knowledge on the subject, and talks about inadequate planning and limited resources. What they are trying to do here is show the world that the locals of Balochistan are not contented with its development, which is absolutely not true. In a recent visit Jam Kamal Khan (Chief Minister of Balochistan) accompanied Mr. Imran Khan (Prime Minister Pakistan). Although, the elected representatives of Balochistan are not the only enthusiastic supporters of CPEC, they would like to see a bigger footprint of CPEC in Balochistan, and they are on the same page of the central government as well as the previous government. Yes, the government or local planners might be behind the schedule but they are steadfast and absolutely determined to reach their set goals. However the way western media is wrongly trying to depict that the entire Balochistan is unsatisfied with the formation of CPEC, is absolutely unacceptable.”
In November 2018 Prime Minister Imran Khan paid a 4-day official visit to China, during which he clearly announced, “The CPEC project, transforming from an idea to reality, has been comprehensively implemented and facilitated. It is a great opportunity for development that has improved Pakistani’s life quality and enhanced socio-economic development. Pakistan will stay unwavering to advance CPEC projects and adopt strong measures to protect the security of the projects and Chinese workers.Pakistan appreciates vigorous support from China during its hard time and maintains as a reliable friend to China.”
With respect to the investment in Balochistan under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Mr. Muneer highlighted that the Balochistan government was eager to enhance investment in the province under the CPEC project. He further commented, “The other thing people don’t realize for Gwadar city itself is that there is a $940 million package of CPEC, which includes the $168 million East-Bay Expressway, the $230 million Gwadar International Airport, the $100 million Pak China Friendship Hospital and so on. Once you have an international airport, it will clearly pick up the economy of Gwadar. There is also a technical vocational institute, which will train the local Balochi people so that they can be productive in and around Gwadar port. Moreover there is an Economic Free Zone being planned in and along Gwadar that will bring foreign investment and jobs there.”
To attain authentic facts and figures on CPEC, Mr. Muneer shared the official website of CPEC for the masses, which is timely updated with the details of each project, the long-term plan and progress update for public reference.
Mr. Kovrig also raised the livelihood and employment issues of local residents in the article. One example given is that the government expropriates land over the plan of Gwadar port. “The state-led land grab is estimated to claim at least 290,000 acres...Those who refuse to sell land or property could simply have it seized by the federal government and would likely face forced resettlement. Mr. Muneer with all static details explained that this is fake information; which is being spread as an attempt totarnish the government. “I don’t know where the author has gotten this information and the numbers, which are completely distorted. There is no displacement in Gwadar or any part of the nation.Government may buy land legally for development purpose and dispense subsidy to certain families, just like it needs land in Punjab, KP, and Sindh. But to have a strategy to make a major displacement of Balochistan people or bring people from outside is nothing but an ultimate lie.”
Regarding the employment issue, the article claimed, “Fisher folk are being denied access to the sea and could face the permanent closure of Gwadar’s jetty”. Mr. Muneer refuted them as groundless and absurd. “There is a fisherman community in Gwadar, which is very lively around this area. I know a company which finds fish near Gwadar and do exports. There is absolutely no problem for the fisherman to continue their livelihood in Gwadar. I’ve been to Gwadar myself and I have witnessed there is great scope of workers of Balochistan here.” He added that “The vocational institution that CPEC is going to establish in Gwadar is going to ensure the skill level of the local people can be improved.”
According to Mr. Muneer, of all the CPEC projects, 9 are in Sindh, 11 in Punjab, 7 in KP, and 11 in Balochistan. “It’s important for people saying Balochistan has been left behind CPEC, to know all these valid stats. Taking energy project as an example, which clearly were the bulk of CPEC initially. There is 4360 MW electricity in Punjab because of CPEC; 5680 MW in Sindh; 1620 MW in Blochistan; 1124 MW in Kashmir; 870 MW in KP. Taking population into account, the highest per capital energy footprint will take place in Balochistan. So it’d be a pretty even diffusion across the country. The element that the Balochistan is not getting its due share, is completely refuted by the energy footprint under CPEC”, Mr. Muneer said.
The article also sensationalized security concerns in Pakistan. For example, “Baloch militants have already killed scores of Pakistanis employed on CPEC projects and future attacks might target Chinese construction workers or Chinese nationals living in Pakistan”. Mr. Muneer clarified, “There were terrorists who are trained outside Pakistan and conduct terrorist activities in Balochistan, particularly to destabilize Pakistan, and more importantly make sure the CPEC projects do not succeed. People of Balochistan have elected a government that fully stands by CPEC and have also shown loyalty with Pakistan.”
He further highlighted, “The Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa and the Prime Minister of Pakistan both have given firm commitment that the Pakistan Army/ Security Forces will be deployed all over the CPEC project to ensure that both Pakistani and Chinese workers can worth together in harmony. Apart from that in all likelihood, I am certain the intimidating outward forces, trying to jeopardize CPEC, will never succeed. Besides, where does these terrorists come from should be the real concern of western media.” While concluding the interview on a high note, Mr. Muneer further expressed, “Pakistan is a large and dynamic country with 220 million population. Since Pakistan has deep friendship with China in the past six decades, it is evident that the first pilot project to BRI is targeted and misinterpreted by western media. I’m very confident the CPEC will be a huge success that can not only bring prosperity to Pakistan but also deliver benefits to China, a win-win outcome for both countries.”（Reporter from Economic Daily-China Economic Net, Zhao Xiaopeng）
（Editor:郭彩萍）
