By
Sajjad Shaukat
During the historical
visit of the Chinese President Xi Jinping to Pakistan, on April 20, this year,
he and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif signed 51 agreements for
cooperation in various fields, related to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC), energy, infrastructure, agriculture, research, technology, education
etc.
The establishment of CPEC
between deep Gwadar seaport of Balochistan and the historic Silk Road city in
western regions-Xinjiang of China will connect Gilgit-Baltistan through
Khunjerab Pass. Beijing would also build an international airport at Gwadar,
while the roads infrastructure in Gwadar would link the communication network
of rest of the country to facilitate transportation of goods.
When Gwadar seaport
becomes fully operational, it would connect the landlocked Central Asian states
with rest of the world. Being the commercial hub, the port is likely to
increase volume of trade, bringing multiple economic and financial benefits to
Pakistan like the Suez Canal which changed the destiny of Egypt when Israel
returned it to the former. It will enable high-volume cargo vessels to move in
the major oceans. Gwadar project will not only uplift the impoverished people
of Balochistan by providing thousands of employment opportunities and is likely
to develop whole the province by redressing their grievances. The resulting
prosperity in the province would trickle down to the Baloch people and damp the
separatist sentiments, which the hostile elements, supported by anti-Pakistan
powers do not want.
Recall, when during the
Musharraf regime, Islamabad initiated the construction of Gwadar deep-seaport
in Balochistan in March 2002 with Chinese assistance, sirens went off in the
capitals of foreign countries, especially the US, India and Israel which took
it as a threat to their global and regional plans.
Located on the
southwestern coast of Pakistan, Balochistan’s Gwadar seaport is close to the
Strait of Hormuz from where more than 17 million barrels of oil passes every
day. Its ideal location among three key regions, South Asia, the oil-rich
Middle East, and oil and gas-resourced Central Asia has further increased its
strategic significance. Its development has shifted the Great Game of Central
Asia to Pakistan. Hence, sirens still continue alarming in the foreign
countries.
Besides, Balochistan’s
abundant mineral resources like gas, coal and gold, entailing Pakistan’s close
ties with China also pinches the eyes of the US, India, Israel and some western
countries which intend to destabilize Pakistan for their collective aims.
Therefore, major challenge
to Pak-China strategic alliance is that with the tactical support of American
CIA and Israeli Mossad, Indian RAW has continuously been assisting the Baloch
separatist groups and Baloch Sub Nationalists to conduct subversive acts—and
using terrorist elements in Balochistan to threat Pak-Chinese interest in the
development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. And, Afghanistan has become a
hub from where external secret agencies have been funding and arranging
subversive activities in other parts of Pakistan—especially in Balochistan
through their affiliated militant groups at the cost of Pakistan, China and
Iran. In the past few years, they abducted and killed many Chinese and Iranian
nationals in Pakistan.
It is of particular
attention, that Indian former Army Chief Gen. VK Singh openly admitted that
during his tenure, he supervised special army unit, Tactical Support Division
(TSD) on the instructions of the then defence minister to sponsor acts of
sabotage in Pakistan, particularly Balochistan.
As regards the
deteriorating situation of Balochistan, everyone knows that Balochistan
Liberation Army (BLA) and their affiliated outfits including another group,
Jundollah (God’s soldiers) which have been fighting for secession of the
province gets logistic support from RAW and other anti-Pakistan spy
agencies—these militants kidnapped and killed many innocent people and the security
personnel in the province. They also massacred many persons through suicide
attacks, bomb blasts, targeted killings and sectarian violence. Therefore, they
are responsible for dumped bodies and extrajudicial killings in the province.
On a number of occasions, these insurgent groups claimed responsibility for
their subversive acts. The main aim behind is to create unrest in Balochistan
and to discourage Beijing for the development of Gwadar port.
While, in May, 2013, a
day before Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Islamabad; Chinese engineers
being driven through Clifton Block-1 in Karachi escaped a major bomb attack.
Taking note of the foreign powers’ anti-Pakistan designs, during the visit of Chinese
President Xi Jinping, Islamabad made extraordinary security arrangements.
It is notable that a
Gallup survey of the UK official body, DFID, conducted on July 20, 212, had
disclosed that the vast majority of the Baloch people oppose the idea of an
independent Balochistan.
As a result of the
general elections 2013, the government led by the nationalist leader Chief
Minister Balochistan Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch was established in Balochistan,
while on December 7, 2013; local bodies elections were largely held in a
peaceful manner in the province. These elections proved that majority of the
Baloch are loyal to the federation, and have rejected the case of separatists,
being projected by external forces which are weakening Pakistan by supporting
the anti-state elements in Balochistan.
It is noteworthy that
during his visit to Balochistan, Chief of Army Staff Gen. Raheel Sharif on
April 15, this year warned foreign forces and spy agencies against
destabilizing Pakistan by supporting insurgents in Balochistan. Gen. Raheel
elaborated, “Army will continue supporting the Balochistan government till
terrorism is wiped out…those found involved in funding and facilitating
terrorists will be dealt with iron hands.”
In fact, Gen. Raheel
Sharif was compelled to expose conspiracy against Pakistan after the gunmen
killed 20 laborers in Turbat district of Baluchistan in the deadliest attack on
April 11, who were working at a dam construction site.
It is worth-mentioning
that during China’s visit, Gen. Raheel Sharif, on January 25, 2015, China’s
Vice Chairman of Central Military Commission Gen. Fan has assured that China
will assist Pakistan in every challenge.
Nevertheless, foreign
entities shall pose a major challenge to Pak-China strategic alliance through
terror-acts. Hence, the intelligence agencies and security forces of both the
countries must be well-prepared to cope with these elements.
Sajjad Shaukat writes on
international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants,
Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations
Email:
sajjad_logic@yahoo.com
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