Pakistan’s dream has been shattered as China reportedly rejected the
former’s proposal for fresh Belt and Road projects within its borders due to
concerns arising out of political instability and deteriorating security
conditions in Islamabad, according to a report by Japanese newspaper Nikkei
Asia.
According to the report, citing the officials who have reviewed the
high-level meeting minutes, the Chinese side turned down Pakistan’s
recommendations to introduce additional projects related to energy, climate
change, electricity transmission lines, and tourism under the China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC), a substantial component of the Belt and Road
Initiative with an estimated worth of $50 billion.
Furthermore, the minutes revealed that Beijing rejected Islamabad’s
proposal to build a 500-kilovolt transmission line connecting the southern port
of Gwadar, a focal point of Chinese infrastructure investment, to the national
electricity grid in Karachi.
However, China simultaneously pressurised Pakistan to withdraw its
objections to a 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Gwadar, which Pakistan
sought to relocate to a site where domestically sourced coal could be utilised.
The report indicated that the 11th meeting of the Joint Cooperation
Committee (JCC), the top decision-making body overseeing CPEC, took place in
October of the preceding year. Nevertheless, the minutes were not formally
signed until July.
The move by China to decline Pakistan’s proposals seems influenced
by multiple factors, including the political turmoil within Pakistan since the
ousting of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Government in April 2022, which
has led to multiple episodes of civil unrest.
Moreover, in recent years, Chinese interests in Pakistan have been
the target of militant attacks, including an ambush of engineers in August that
was thwarted by security forces. The overall deteriorating security situation
in Pakistan was underscored by a pair of deadly suicide bombings last week.
Notably, the rejection could hinder cash-strapped Pakistan’s
efforts to attract foreign investment and develop its infrastructure. Belt and
Road projects are seen as an important part of Pakistan’s economic growth
strategy, and China’s reluctance could slow down progress.
