CPEC: Regional Security Powers & Paradoxes | By Dr Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan

 

Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan

IT seems that the “abrupt” fall of Kabul has “flustered” the regional as well as international power politics due to which there are some symbolic re-arrangements of security meetings, pacts and alliances now going around the world.

Chess-board of “power politics” is going to have new set-up to “topple” and “contain” Chinese socio-economic commitments towards greater regional connectivity, socio-economic integration and eradication of poverty through its “One Belt One Road Initiative” (BRI) and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Thus self-defined “China Threat Theory (CTT)” of the West & US is being intentionally disseminated its own military race in the region.

The ongoing QUAD (United States, India, Japan and Australia) Security dialogue in Washington and newly formed security pact AUKUS (Australia, UK & USA) are the prime examples of their undue and unjust military race and enmity against China in the region.

Despite Western propaganda the CPEC has been termed as the economic “jugular vein” of Pakistan. Moreover, CPEC is “oxygen” to the ailing economy of Pakistan.

CPEC is an open and transparent mega project of socio-economic prosperity and a giant step towards economic self-reliance. Thus it should be used in the best interest of Pakistan.

There are some “misleading” media news, commentaries, articles and interviews about utility, capacity and efficacy of CPEC. It seems that ongoing internal propagation against CPEC in the mass media of the country is not based on true facts.

Rather it tried to malign China not to start CPEC Phase-II and not obliging Pakistan to pay back its due instalments even on deferred terms.

In this connection, capacity payments of CPEC energy projects are being projected as a financial burden or inflexibility of Chinese companies towards Pakistan.

It is totally untrue, un-factual, fabricated and self-inserted conclusions of some of the media houses and newspapers in the country which needs to be ratified as soon as possible.

According to various published reports of SBP, SECP and Finance Ministry that Pakistan has received only US$42 billion investment in the first 65 years of Pakistan’s history, but under CPEC since 2015, 51 agreements/MOUs have been signed, worth 46 billion which has now been further increased to US$ 62 billion.

But unfortunately, to “capacity building” flaws & fallacies only 25 billion has yet been utilized.

In this regard, China does not have any restriction to invest in Pakistan, and it can be substantial if Pakistan can streamline and enhance its capacity.

The CPEC provides a wide range of opportunities to Pakistan but strong political will for good governance and diplomacy should be the way forward. Appropriate security has been one of the serious concerns of the Chinese government.

Fall of Kabul and Chinese strategic understanding towards Taliban has once again put its projects and workers in the line of fire in the country which must be protected on an urgent basis.

Anti-CPEC lobbies and secret agencies are specifically targeting the CPEC project to sabotage the project.

In this context, the newly formed AUKUS military alliance may harm the future utility of Gwadar seaport and the blue economy of China too. CPEC has the potential and threshold to connect with Central Asia and beyond.

The vast region bordering China, Afghanistan, Iran and Russia is landlocked and dependent on the seaports of Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran and Turkey. Thus the ideal combination of BRI & CPEC is the need of the hour.

Most recently, the 10th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting of CPEC was held via video link.

While addressing it, Deputy Head of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, Ning Jizhe termed the CPEC as the flagship project under the BRI which has provided dividends over the past eight years, bringing a direct investment of US$ 25.4 billion to Pakistan and creating numerous jobs in Pakistan.

He urged both countries to focus on CPEC construction through the construction of Gwadar Port, energy and infrastructure, and industrial cooperation while fully tapping the existing infrastructure.

On the eve of 70th anniversary of Pak-China diplomatic relations, he chalked out comprehensive road-map for further development and was of the opinion that both countries should promote the healthy, qualitative development of CPEC by forming the Health Corridor (HC), the Industrial Corridor (IC), Knowledge Corridor (KC) the Trade Corridor (TC) the Digital Corridor (DC) and the Green Corridor (GC) and work together to build an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.

Addressing a news conference after the JCC meeting, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said that China expressed concern over the security arrangements for Chinese working on the CPEC projects.

The Minister said that China emphasised boosting security arrangements with the enhancement in the scope of CPEC in the second phase.

He defused the domestic and international propaganda by saying that despite numerous challenges CPEC projects are sailing smoothly and meeting deadlines. He confirmed the expansion of CPEC which has attracted more and more investment beyond industrial estates.

The MoU was between China’s Ningbo Port and Pakistan’s Gwadar Port for the CPEC. Another MoU has been signed for the Karachi Coastal Development Plan under the Maritime Ministry along with a Chinese Company, named CRPC, for the development of the Karachi Port facility. The Minister said that eight different agreements were signed for the agriculture sector.

During the meeting both sides signed five documents for cooperation and announced three cooperation agreements between enterprises. However, both sides exchanged views on security measures for Chinese projects and nationals in Pakistan.

The 10th JCC meeting was held on the work studies of various working groups including security, energy, industrial cooperation, agriculture, science and technology.

The meeting also announced the establishment of a joint working group in the information technology industry.

About 200 representatives from the governments, financial institutions, enterprises and public institutions of both sides attended the meeting. Being a prominent regional expert of China, CPEC & BRI, this scribe suggests that innovative commercial diplomacy is the need of the hour to resolve any emerging financial deadlock/burden between the two sides.

Request for deferment of payments, restructuring of loans through future profit sharing, change of management, issuance of IPOs, export of surplus energy and last but not the least, good governance should be followed and implemented. Any sponsored media campaign in the country should not be encouraged.

CPEC has been in the line of fire since its inception from hostile regional countries and international power brokers.

90 percent of Chinese trade with the West and US is being carried out through waters and most recently-held QUAD security meeting and formation of AUKUS have definitely anti-China aims.

Thus CPEC Phase-II is the need of the hour in which more long-term projects for the expansion and development of Gwadar seaport may be mutually beneficial for the two countries.

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A Destination From The Past

 

Munaza Kazmi

Hey reader! Your all must have heard about the tales of Princess and Prince living in the far away magical lands in their hilltop beautiful palaces from your ever-loving grandma, and obviously you have yearned for seeing it yourself, however with the time those all felt just as fables.

What if I may say those were not mere imaginations but a Reality!

Come with me to live a real episode of your childhood fairy tales.

In the northern territory of Gilgit Baltistan icy peaks stretch above the Hunza River. Situated on the riverbank and surrounded by glaciers and gorges, the town of Hunza traditionally served as a resting place for travelers descending the Hindu Kush mountains into the Valley of Kashmir. Hunza is home to snow leopards, markhors, ibexes, and red-striped foxes.

Valley’s natural splendor and position on the Central Asian Silk Route has attracted travelers, merchants, and mountaineers for centuries. Beyond its iconic glaciers, fertile apricot farms, and turquoise lakes, the region is also rich in cultural heritage.

In central Hunza, the 1,100 years old Altit fort isthe region’s oldest standing monuments and evidence of the valley’s feudal regime. Traditionally home to the Mir, or king, of Hunza. The rectangular stronghold sits at the base of the Ulter Glacier and commands a view of the Hunza Valley and its tributaries—a strategic position for controlling the Trans-Karakoram trade route between South and Central Asia. The fort served as home to the Mir until 1945.

Later the fort and it’s surrounding village namely AltitKhun have been restored by Aga Khan Trust for Culture. However, the fort is now converted into heritage museum that showcase the world about the art, lifestyles and wisdom of then King, also it carries UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2011.

Serena Hotels that comes under the umbrella AKDN, enjoys have the philosophy of preserving the heritage along empowering the communities, have recently established another heritage hotel Serena Altit Fort Residence, which is a rare accommodation in the beautiful Hunza Valley which will surely transport you into the fairytales of your grandma.

The view of the majestic snow peeks, sounds of floating water, cheering of birds, exotic tastes of equally delicious looking local dishes with the feel of a timeless medieval kingdom, all combining gives you a most enchanting experience of your lifetime.

Overlooking the clear water of Hunza River, Serena Altit Fort Residence located in the shadow of the Altit Fort adjoining the heritage village, where you would be finding the old grannies sitting in the alleys in their traditional attires.

In the hotel you can tailor your stay as per your needs, by choosing between the luxe mountain lodge Ameen House, or the Luxury Huts settled at the edge of the mesmerizing KhaBasi Garden, that was once the picnic spot of the royal Mirs of Hunza, with widespread views of the fascinating Hunza Valley.

The Ameen House, the former residence of the son of Mir Jamal Khan of Hunza, was built at the time of the restoration of the Altit Fort. Traditional construction techniques, including use of stone, wooden beams and limestone instead of concrete, were used to allow it to blend seamlessly with the surroundings. The furnishings in the rooms utilize indigenous wood and materials, hand-woven local textiles and traditional woodcarvings of the area. 

The common areas are appointed with heritage artefacts of the Mir’s family and offer serene views of the KhaBasi garden and surroundings. These original features create welcoming spaces, that will connect you to the culture of Hunza and the beauty of the surrounding landscape.

AMEEN HOUSE EXECUTIVE ROOM

The splendidly appointed executive room features a king size bed, premium bedding, sizeable work desk, large windows offering gorgeous garden views, and a spacious balcony with seating. It has a roomy attached bathroom featuring a bathtub, and a walk-in closet.

AMEEN HOUSE STANDARD ROOM

Featuring double or twin beds, pleasant lobby and sitting rooms with natural light and mesmerizing garden views. The common areas feature heritage artefacts from the family of Mir Jamal Khan, the last ruling Mir of Hunza. Very important thing, all rooms are non-smoking, never forget this, otherwise you would be hearing alarms next second. 

With the feel of comfort and luxury there are spacious attached bathrooms with hot water, heating and cooling facilities, work desks, wooden floors, complimentary WiFi and flat-screen HDTV with cable and satellite programming.

The Luxury Huts you would find on the edge of the Royal Garden, that offers absolutely unique experience, stunning views of the valley amidst the comforting sounds of the gushing Hunza river below.

Each hut features luxury beds and bedding, heating and cooling facilities, minibar, free wireless Internet, flat-screen HDTV with cable and satellite programming and an attached luxury bathroom with running hot water.

Serena Altit Fort residence features 16 beautifully appointed rooms including 1 Executive room, 4 Standard Rooms and 11 Luxury Huts. However, all rooms and huts are equipped with modern amenities designed to provide the maximum comfort and luxury, ensuring a serene experience for you every time.

Moreover, in the hotel you can haveanamazing view of the snow-capped Lady Finger, Ultar, Rakaposhi and Diran peaks, that can be seen from your chamber’s balcony as well. 

Still, however, I would be suggesting you not to miss a walk past the 25-acre wide Khabasi Garden and clear water pool, the garden is abundant in sweet apricots, pinkish peaches, red and crunchy apples, also sometimes where you would be finding white chubby sheep, however no need to run before.

I believe by having the booty from the Garden you won’t be feeling ravenous, but the only smell of the tasty food near the lovely KhaBasi café is enough to make you driven towards. Where you end up eating a lot of yummy local and continental cuisine. With delicious food the charming KhaBasialso offers panoramic view.

The café is run by local women, in the way having a contribution in the wellbeing of the society, however Serena works on the principle of hiring the workforce from the local community, hence it not even highlighting the top destinations of Pakistan but giving employment to the once neglected regions.

Altit Fort has been home to a flourishing women social enterprise named CIQAM; means ‘greenery’ in Brushaski and stands for growth and prosperity, since 2003 ever since restoration work began on the Altit Fort. The enterprise was created as a project developed under Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan, and co- funded by the Norwegian Embassy Trust for Culture and the World Bank. 

Through this enterprise, skilled-based trainings of local women in carpentry, construction, masonry, topographic, along architectural surveys, hospitality, historical restoration and documentation have been imparted. 

Serena Altit Fort Residence features furnishings like beds, cupboards and side tables constructed by the women of the CIQAM enterprise. At the same time there is a focus on eco-friendly and sustainable practices and environmentally conscious use of natural resources.

In the end, take a stroll along the winding pathways of the AltitKhun village is worth a lot since you would be experiencing a glimpse into the original way of life of the Hunzakuts.

The Serena Altit Fort Residence is your gateway to experience the heartwarming uniqueness of the Hunza Valley and an episode of your fairytale. 

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Munaza Kazmi holds MPhil in Management Sciences (Bahria University Islamabad, 2020). She’s a travel writer, an author, & co-author of scientific contributions in national & international publications. Her main areas of research include tourism & quality management.

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Readers need interesting content, storytelling elements

 

Ali Sajjad

‘A great storyteller once said that great stories occur to those who can tell them. A great story, not told well, will be an ordinary or bad story’

If you are reading this piece, it establishes the fact that newspaper is a must part of your every day and you have grown up reading a newspaper almost every day in your life.

Despite your newspaper reading habit, it is not necessary for you to know that September 25 is the National Newspaper Readership Day. 

Despite being a lifelong newspaper reader and the part of a media house, I was also unaware of the day and only came to know about it when the Pakistan Post issued a commemorative stamp to mark the day.

A press release issued by the Pakistan Post says it issued the stamp on the request of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), which has been celebrating Sept 25 as the ‘National Newspaper Readership Day’ since 2019.

Well, I have never been a stamp collector, but I will buy a few stamps from a nearby post office. My gratitude to the Pakistan Post for reminding us of the National Newspaper Readership Day, and to the APNS for coming up with the idea for the day. 

The day may provoke us to think that the newspaper is an important part of our mornings, office tables, and leisure times.

Over the years, the mode of newspaper reading might have changed. Many feel convenient to read the newspaper of their choice on a gadget while a good part of the generation of our times is still addicted to the feel of a newspaper, which comes with shuffling the pages.

There are days when one feels fatigued or lacks interest in reading the paper. That happens and that is not an unusual feel. Though one reason behind the lack of disinterest in newspaper reading may be a burdened stomach, and pre-occupied mind, there might be some faults with the news pages. I hardly finish the paper when there is no news on news pages.

No news in the news pages? Though there is the plenty of information coming out of news agencies, TV channels, reporters’ sources, corporate bodies, politicians, government agencies, and so on, sometime it happens that there is no news of one’s personal interest in the news crowd.

How to generate interest in the news stories? We often discuss in the newsroom on keeping the news stories interesting without forging facts and distorting information.

The handy tools to keep the stories interesting are in ‘story telling’. A great storyteller once said that great stories occur to those who can tell them. A great story, not told well, will be an ordinary or bad story.

We remember our childhood when our moms and grandmothers told us stories, which kept us in a trance for days and weeks. This is the time to make newspaper content more interesting and stories full of storytelling elements. That will bring back the readers to newspaper pages.

With time, the readers will feel that the quality time they spent reading a newspaper added value to their personality. The content should not update them on contemporary issues, events and discoveries, but also triggers critical thinking in them.

I would be grateful to the readers of the Minute Mirror if they provide us with their feedback and reflections on what is being published and what should be published.

We would love to hear your advice on editorial content and would like to publish your opinion in newspaper’s editorials.

We would also like you to write about the issues you see around and share story ideas. Own the Minute Mirror as it is a newspaper for the public; let you, please, make a newspaper by the public.

Ali Sajjad is the editor-in-chief of Minute Mirror. He can be reached

at chiefeditor@minutemirror.com.pk

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Once upon a Taliban

THE war in Afghanistan is over. Pakistan won.

No amount of hand wringing in Western capitals can change this hard reality. For now, at least. The post-victory battle however is still being waged on the airwaves and in oak-panelled boardrooms. Victory is not a happy ending. Not yet.

To live happily ever after, we may need to reinterpret what happened once upon a time.

But first Pakistan may want to acknowledge that it is floundering in the art of storytelling. Victors usually don’t struggle with their narratives, they revel in them. Pakistan though is bracing for a backlash. Something, somewhere is terribly wrong with how this story is unfolding.

The secret of this failure, in fact, is hiding in plain sight. The Pakistani state, and many influential sections of its society, cannot seem to resist the powerful urge to romance the Taliban even though the red wedding is over and the guests have limped back home. Very few in Pakistan are willing to recognise that walking away from a victory does not mean abandoning its spoils.

Something, somewhere is terribly wrong with how this story is unfolding.

These spoils will accrue from sustained peace. Victory is only the first step. It is an acknowledgement however that Pakistan was right all along in its approach towards the conflict in Afghanistan. When former army chief Gen Ashfaq Kayani had argued in written form that the US/Nato strategy would not work, and the Afghan National Army would ultimately collapse, he was ignored in Washington and London. As reported in detail by American journalist Steve Coll in his book Directorate S, Gen Kayani kept on advising US officials to change strategy and not depend so much on the advice of people like Hamid Karzai. But the American hammer saw every problem in Afghanistan as a nail.

As did the belligerent American media and Beltway pundits. The ‘do more’ mantra kept picking up steam with every successive US official’s visit to Pakistan. In hindsight one can see how Pakistani officials held their nerve against this consistent and persistent pressure piled on year after year for nearly two decades. The continuity of policy paid its dividends.

But just when time has come to cash in on these dividends, Pakistan is fumbling.

The fumble may not make sense at first viewing. Pakistani officials are parroting a fairly reasonable position. We maintain that the Taliban should have an inclusive government, that they should include women and minorities in their government, and that they should ensure the Afghan soil is not used for terrorism against any country. The prime minister, foreign minister and the national security adviser are pushing this narrative well through repeated interviews. And yet, the problem persists.

It persists for at least three reasons: (1) Western leaders believe there is a gap between what Pakistani officials say and what they do (2) Western leaders also maintain that Pakistan has not used the leverage it has over the Taliban sufficiently to make them change their behaviour (3) they also maintain Taliban would not have gained the emphatic victory they have without the active support of Pakistan through the years.

These Western leaders — especially the Americans — are taking the three factors, welding them into a steel rod, and preparing to take a mighty swing at Pakistan. What can we do?

Plenty, as it turns out.

On factor 1: (a) introduce discipline in public communication. Brutal discipline. A bevy of ministers and aides shooting off their mouths on Afghanistan and Taliban is a major problem that needs to be zipped shut. Let’s face it: the prime minister’s ill-advised, ill-considered and ill-timed statement on the Taliban ‘breaking the shackles of slavery’ was the ‘gotcha’ moment that the West was looking for. ‘See we told you,’ they bloviated in their earnestness to prove to nobody in particular that Pakistan was ecstatic over the Taliban victory.

(b) Stop playing the victim. In inter-state relations, no one cares. Yes Pakistani state and society have been ravaged by terrorism, and yes Pakistan has paid a steep price for America’s war in Afghanistan, but this narrative is past its sell-by date. Shelve it. Instead, talk about shared interests from the peace in Afghanistan. What shared interests? Exactly. Figure them out. List them out. Spell them out.

(c) Construct a post-conflict vision for the region from our perspective. Move the discussion away from victory and defeat and steer it towards projects, pipelines and prosperity. Garnish the vision with specificity. Don’t have the vision? Don’t have the specificity? There you have it ladies and gentlemen: the challenge before us. Make this happen instead of harping on tired clichés and outmoded talking points.

On factor 2: (a) use the leverage, but don’t photograph it. Pakistan must invest all its energies in knocking some sense into the Taliban. If it could sustain two decades of Western pressure to stay the course on its Afghanistan policy, it sure as heck can cajole, persuade and influence the Taliban to become more acceptable. All these years we have absorbed the blame for our leverage — now it is time to use the leverage to gain credit for ourselves.

(b) Do this on the quiet. Till it is done. Then shout from the rooftops. Mainstream the Taliban as much as possible, then claim credit. Pakistan should reorient its entire approach so it can be seen as the engine driving the post-conflict transformation in the region.

On factor 3: (a) embrace the reality that Pakistan was right these two decades and the West was wrong. Then build a positive narrative around it. How were we right? Explain. What was our logic and rationale? Explain. How did we suffer? Explain. How can we use this to make it a win-all for all stakeholders now? Explain.

(b) Ditch the gloating. Abandon the chest-thumping. Dump the smugness. Replace the blame game with proposals for advancing shared interests. The past is another country. The future awaits. To live happily ever after, let us start over:

Once upon a time…

The writer is Dawn’s resident editor in Islamabad.

Twitter: @fahdhusain 

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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World Tourism Day 2021: Tourism for Inclusive Growth

 

Munaza Kazmi

World Tourism Day is celebrated each year on September 27 to spread awareness about the importance of tourism and its impact on our society. 

The day is also celebrated to spread awareness about global challenges outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to underline the efforts the tourism industry can make achieving the sustainable development goals.

United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the global body responsible for the promotion of tourism, has been celebrating World Tourism Day on September 27 since 1980.

However, this specific date was chosen,sinceback on this day the UNWTO adopted its Statutes. The Statutes are considered milestones in the global tourism space.

The UNWTO General Assembly however, in October 1997 in Turkey, decided to designate a host country each year to act as the Organization's partner in the celebration of World Tourism Day.

Last year in 2020 the theme was, “Tourism and Rural Development” and the event was celebrated in Argentina, however ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’ is the theme for World Tourism Day 2021. 

This year’s official celebration will be hosted by Cote d’Ivoire, celebrating tourism’s ability to drive inclusive development and the role it plays in promoting respect while generating opportunities for many millions across the globe.

The message along is to fully showcase the potential of tourism to create jobs for all and bring communities together. 

Talking about the Global tourism industry, the tourism industry has become one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world today. Over the last few years, the tourism industry has seen a tremendous expansion and growth. International tourist arrivals have grown significantly in the past few decades. 

However, now it has grown from 25 million in 1950 to 1.3 billion in 2019. The revenues earned have also increased from $2 billion in 1950 to $1,260 trillion in 2015. Tourism industry is estimated to be worth 10% of the global GDP and provides one in ten jobs globally. The UNWTO expects an annual growth of 3% in the tourism industry until 2030.

In Pakistan, the collective hospitality and tourism industry is estimated to be worth $20 billion and contributing3% to the GDP in year 2021. Moreover, the industry provides employment to an estimated 3 million people directly and indirectly.

Pakistan tourism industry was in heydays in 70’s when Karachi was supposed as Mini Dubai, however after decades Pakistan came once again into the highlights, a personal thanks to the efforts of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Pakistan’s tourism industry is an emergent market; at least from the international perspective, its wealth of scenic landscapes, particularly its stunning mountain vistas in the north, has increasingly been getting noticed. 

The British Backpacker Society ranked Pakistan as its top travel destination for 2018, and last year Forbes termed it “one of the coolest countries to visit”. Unfortunately, the authorities failed to build on that momentum and goodwill, even though the prime minister has often correctly cited the potential for tourism to become a major source of foreign exchange. 

Even as recently as December 2019, Wanderlust, the UK travel magazine, singled out Pakistan as its “hot list destination” for 2020 along US life and luxury magazine Conde Nast traveler highlighted Pakistan as “The best holiday destination 2020”.

However, the pandemic, of course, has derailed tourism everywhere.

More to say, the contemporary government has redesigned the tourism policy, but its affects have not seen so far, one example is there are dozens of PTDC motels in top tourism destination even in “Sust”that is the home to the world recognized mountains and gateway to Khunjrabhowever barren. 

I believe Pakistan have the destinations, the policies, along the infrastructure but no one to manageand implement.

Let me tell you one morething, in the year 2006 a heavy earthquake was reported in the Northern region and then the policy was made to involve no concrete in the construction of buildings because that area was spotted for regular catastrophes, however negligence can be seen. 

Moreover, there’s no idea of Eco-tourism, in the clear waters you would find garbage and plastic: ignorant society.

Recently I came back from Gwadar as I heard of its exotic beaches, however I found plastic more or less, I question the society,doyou not belong this planet and have heads and heels in polluting what you can.

I don’t know how many people would understand the grave importance of Sustainable-tourism, but I believe there would be some at least.However, those are enough to make Pakistan’s tourism sustainable and inclusive for growth. 

Moreover, with our combine efforts next year Pakistan can be seen as hosting the World Tourism Day with theme of Eco-tourism.

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Munaza Kazmi holds MPhil in Management Sciences (Bahria University Islamabad, 2020). She’s a travel writer, an author, & co-author of scientific contributions in national & international publications. Her main areas of research include tourism & quality management.

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