Pakistan's domestic politics In recent days two political developments in Pakistan have understandably drawn attention. First, the conviction of former Pakistan Prim

 In recent days two political developments in Pakistan have understandably drawn attention. First, the conviction of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan (who served from August 2018-April 2022) in the 

 The former PM has not only been sentenced to three years in jail -- he is incarcerated in Attock jail -- but has also been barred from participating in any political activity for five years. Second, Shehbaz Sharif former PM (who served from April 2022-August 2023) dissolved Pakistan’s national assembly, on August 9, 2023 and Anwaar-Ul-Haq Kakar was named as caretaker PM, on August 13, 2023 until the general 

The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has recently completed a decade, has also been in the news.

Chinese Vice Premier, He Lifeng, was in Pakistan (July 30, 2023- August 1, 2023) in connection with the 10 year celebration of CPEC. The Chinese Vice Premier, Hi Lifeng and former Pakistan PM, Shehbaz Sharif witnessed the signing of 

 under the aegis of CPEC. One of the MOU’s 

 was to promote the strategic Main Line-1, also known as Karachi-Peshawar Railway Line or ML-1, a railway upgrade project.

The CPEC project has faced several challenges over the past decade. First, Beijing was not happy with the slow progress of the project, under the Imran Khan led Pakistan-Tehreek-E-Insaaf government and it was for this reason, that a CPEC authority was 

 in 2019 for monitoring the progress of CPEC related projects. The CPEC authority was eventually scrapped in August 2022. After taking over as PM, Khan had sought to 

 terms and conditions of certain projects pertaining to CPEC, though China declined to do so. Senior members in Khan’s cabinet had also pointed to the lack of transparency and unfair incentives provided to 

. It would be pertinent to point out, that in many other countries, such as Myanmar, China had re-negotiated the terms and conditions of certain BRI related projects. In 2018, China reduced the cost of the Kyaukpyu deep-sea port from 

Second, in recent years there have been numerous attacks on Chinese nationals. In 

, Chinese nationals including 9 engineers were killed in a bus explosion in Khyber Pakhtunwa (KPK), while in August 2021, 

 nationals were killed in a suicide attack in Gwadar (Balochistan). In April 2022, three Chinese teachers were killed by a female suicide bomber in Karachi. On August 13, 2023 a convoy of Chinese engineers was targeted in Gwadar. The  

 took responsibility for this attack. The BLA had claimed responsibility for earlier attacks – including the April 2022 killing of three Chinese teachers as well as the attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi in 

 not to go ahead with any agreements with Pakistan, concerning Balochistan, with regard to development projects. It has also opposed China’s’ 

 regarding Balochistan. The cornerstone of the CPEC project is the strategically located Gwadar Port in Balochistan. The natives of the province, which is rich in natural resources, have complained of not getting their fair 

 of profits and this has created resentment.

China has expressed concerns regarding the safety and security of Chinese 

 in Pakistan, and repeated attacks have been cited as one of the reasons for the slowing down of the CPEC project. Pakistan on its part had said that it would provide the highest level of security to Chinese nationals. Even after the recent attack, the 

 in Pakistan has asked Islamabad to punish the perpetrators of this attack, and to ensure that similar incidents do not take place in the future.

Third, like many other countries there is a growing domestic opposition to the CPEC project. Large sections of the business community in Pakistan believe that the terms and conditions of the project are skewed in favour of 

. Several strategic commentators have also expressed their scepticism regarding the progress of the project.

In a column titled ‘CPEC to SIFC’ for 

“…In 10 years, China pumped in $25 billion but we are much worse off economically now than in 2013.... The economic zones and the Gwadar port are inactive. Why have things stalled? Has China concluded that Pakistan is not the right place to do business in, given our political instability, bureaucracy and elite-dominated economy?”

  During Hi Lifeng’s visit Sharif had categorically said that Pakistan needs to be self-reliant. Said 

“We have to move away from these borrowed loans and handouts, and have to stand on our feet to show to the world that our people are great, energetic, and capable of facing difficult challenges”

While strategic commentators and Pakistani businessmen may realize the pitfalls of being excessively dependent upon external financial assistance, from China, no recent government in Pakistan has shown the political will to take tough steps necessary for putting Pakistan’s economy back on track. Apart from this, Islamabad’s strained ties with its neighbours have not helped its cause. Pakistan would do well to learn from the balanced foreign policy of Bangladesh which while having cordial ties with China has also managed to cultivate relations with other countries including India and Japan

While the CPEC project is being touted as a symbol of Islamabad-Beijing cooperation as of now it faces numerous impediments including fervent opposition not just from the province of Balochistan but also sections of the country’s business community. While over the next few months, no major economic decisions can be expected, but the government which takes over after the next election certainly has its task cut out.

Pakistan-China ties and the CPEC project

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