Latest news with #CPEC
Business Recorder
14 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Corridor linking Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan dry ports with Pakistan seaports proposed
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has suggested developing a trade corridor, linking Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan's dry ports with Pakistan's seaports via road and rail networks. During a meeting between Federal Minister Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and the Ambassador of Uzbekistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, here on Thursday, various proposals to enhance mutual and regional cooperation were discussed. According to Pakistan's Maritime Minister this initiative, potentially unlocking over $20 billion in trade, would serve as a strategic artery for landlocked Central Asian economies, accelerating their access to the maritime domain. During the meeting both the delegations agreed to form a joint working group to deepening maritime cooperation, with a focus on unlocking the untapped potential of the blue economy, green shipping and creating a robust trans-regional trade architecture connecting Central Asia to the Arabian Sea. Furthermore, both sides emphasised the urgency of building sustainable maritime linkages to support shared economic growth, regional connectivity, and long-term prosperity through ocean-based industries. The meeting also discussed integrated logistics solutions bonded warehouses, multimodal transport systems, and smart port infrastructure as enablers of efficient cross-border trade. Synergy with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was recognised as vital for expanding Uzbekistan's reach to a $6 trillion regional market. Chaudhry stressed the importance of integrating Uzbekistan into maritime ecosystem through ports like Gwadar and Karachi offering cost-effective and efficient access to global markets. 'Uzbekistan can invest in improving road infrastructure and connectivity to Gwadar port underlining its commercial viability and alignment with global sustainability goals,' the minister suggested. The both sides explored avenues for joint ventures in key blue economy sectors, including marine fisheries, aquaculture, seafood processing, and coastal tourism, all poised to generate high returns in Gulf, African, and Southeast Asian markets. Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry extended an invitation to Uzbekistan to invest in Pakistan's port-based industries, shipbuilding, and renewable ocean energy initiatives. This engagement marks a significant step forward in Pakistan-Uzbekistan relations, laying the groundwork for a long-term maritime partnership rooted in blue economy collaboration, innovation, and regional integration. Responding to the minister's proposal, both sides agreed to convene fast-track consultative meetings involving technical experts. These sessions will identify Uzbekistan's specific maritime needs and determine Pakistan's potential offerings to support them. Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry further proposed a trilateral collaboration between Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Pakistan to enhance overland connectivity to Gwadar Port positioning it as a key gateway for Central Asian states through integrated road and rail networks. Uzbekistan's Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev expressed strong interest in launching joint ventures in the seafood sector, particularly in fisheries production. He also suggested the allocation of an off-dock terminal dedicated to Uzbek trade operations in Pakistan. The ambassador informed the minister that a delegation of Uzbek business leaders would soon visit Karachi to inspect port infrastructure and operations especially those related to the Marine Fisheries Department as part of efforts to deepen commercial cooperation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
14 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Minister, Chinese delegation discuss projects under CPEC Phase-2
ISLAMABAD: A senior Chinese delegation, Thursday, discussed development projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Phase-2 with Planning Ministry for preparation of the upcoming 14th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting in next month (July). Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal hosted a senior Chinese delegation in Islamabad for a luncheon meeting aimed at boosting cooperation under the second phase of the CPEC. The Chinese delegation was led by Hu Zhaoming, spokesperson of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) and Director General of its Information and Communication Bureau. He was accompanied by senior officials including Hu Xiaodong, Fan Shilian, and Li Zishuo. Diplomats from the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, including Deputy Chief of Mission Shi Yuanqiang and Attaché Zhang Duo, were also in attendance. During the meeting, Minister Iqbal highlighted the significance of the upcoming JCC meeting and said that it would be a key milestone in CPEC's journey, with preparatory working group sessions already underway to ensure smooth proceedings. He emphasised the need to nurture critical thinking and innovation among Pakistan's youth, drawing parallels with China's success in aligning public confidence with national development goals. He appreciated China's continued support and underlined the importance of people-to-people and media exchanges in deepening bilateral relations. The discussions also featured innovative ideas to bridge cultural and information gaps between the two nations. These included proposals for exchange programmes between journalists and digital content creators, as well as sharing English-dubbed Chinese content on popular OTT platforms to help Pakistani youth better understand Chinese society and CPEC developments. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ataullah Tarar, who also attended the meeting, suggested initiating a digital exchange programme specifically for journalists and influencers with strong social media presence from both countries. The goal, he said, is to promote mutual understanding and dispel misconceptions about CPEC through authentic storytelling. Amenah Kamal, Member Development Communica-tion from the Planning Commission, supported the idea and proposed that dubbed content in English and Urdu should be made widely accessible through digital streaming platforms to engage young audiences more effectively. Other senior attendees included Javed Sikandar, Chief Governance at the Planning Commission, Dr Nadeem Javaid, Vice Chancellor of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), and Dr Muzamil Zia, CPEC's Regional Connectivity and Infrastructure Specialist. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen Pakistan-China cooperation through dialogue, creativity, and inclusive public engagement. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
EWEC: linking South Asia with central and west Asia
A recently published RAND corporation study in partnership with Islamabad based think-tank makes a strong case for linking South Asia with Central and West Asia through a network of energy, infrastructure and digital corridors. The study titled, "Examining the Feasibility of an East West Economic Corridor (EWEC) for South and Central Asia", is based upon primary sources and interviews of experts from main stakeholder nations in EWEC. The senior policy practitioners, politicians, business tycoons, academics and infrastructure experts participated in the study, making it one of the seminal contributions to the academic literature on regional connectivity and economic partnership. Most important aspect of the feasibility study was the complete consensus amongst the Indian and Pakistani respondents about the value of trade and economic connectivity as a vehicle for sustainable peace in the region. The linkage of EWEC with CPEC and other regional and international connectivity initiatives like International North South Transport Corridors (INNSTC) and BRI was also acknowledged as a win-win formulation that should link all these economic corridors in a mutually beneficial equation. The study also analysed past examples of success and failure of economic corridors between countries as well as continents. An interesting fact that emerged from the analysis of past corridors was the need for generating economic activity in the countries being served with these corridors, in the absence of which, a simple transport corridor might not generate any economic activity other than resources extraction, much like what happened in the African countries through the rail and road corridors that resulted in resource curse for the whole African continent. The study cautioned against the unviable connectivity, pointing out that the true economic value of a corridor was a function of its high Social Internal Rate of Return Index (SIRR). In Pakistan the average SIRR of such corridors was 52% whereas the same was 74% in India. The economic corridor becomes socially viable when the cost of capital for developing a corridor is lower than the SIRR. The past successful examples of such corridors include Trans-European Transport Network which was operationalised in 1996 in EU, and comprised nine networked corridors. In Asia Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Program (GMSECP) began in 1992 as a trade facilitation corridor. Established in 1992, GMSECP focused on trade facilitation for first 15 years before construction of infrastructure in 2008. The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program (CAREC), established in 2001, also initially focused on trade facilitation before developing into a road and railway connectivity corridor after 20 years. The cases of some unsuccessful regional corridors include Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan India (TAPI), Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan (TAP), Iran Pakistan India (IPI) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC 1997, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka). According to scholars like Kapell ((Kapell, p.275) quoted in the study, the lack of success of regional corridors like IPI, TAPI and BIMSTEC was a result of Indian failure in three areas. This included failure to increase regional trade; failure to benefit the region through its supply chains; and inability to balance its development needs with the geopolitical preferences of global powers like USA. India's troublesome relations with Pakistan were also identified as a major contributor towards the failure of past regional connectivity initiatives. The study, however, identified certain current developments that might facilitate EWEC in future. These include a growing Indian economy in search of markets; an improved regional connectivity amongst Central Asian States and a desire to link up with South Asia; an Afghan Interim Government in search of economic opportunities through transit fees of corridor; and a realisation in Pakistan to leverage its locational advantage to earn geo-economic dividends. Mindful of the inhibitors like Indo-Pak tensions, competing geopolitical interests of global powers, access to capital issues and unstable Afghanistan, the study recommends an incremental approach for realising the EWEC vision. According to that approach the EWEC development should be sequenced in a manner that trust is built first through regional organisations like East West Economic Corridor Association (EWECA), where a research and advocacy group, representing each member country of EWECA i.e. Afghanistan, India, Iran and CARs, would be created to conduct research on several aspects of the proposed corridor to forge consensus through technical, financial and advocacy studies. Second mandate of the EWECA would be to manage geopolitical tensions both within and outside the region, somewhat like the ASEAN model. The third mandate would be promotion of connectivity projects through project management and financing access help. To make EWECA friction free and effective, the governance structure of the organisation should be equitable and participative, with each member having a vote for decision making through consensus. One of the important conclusions of the study was the consensus amongst Indian and Pakistani respondents about the financing institutions that included Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) amongst others like ADB and World Bank. The importance of an entente cordiale amongst China and the US was highlighted as a desired concomitant of the regional corridors. The network of proposed corridors includes TAPI, IPI, Trans Afghan Railways (Extending till CARs like Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajkistan, Kyrghzstan) and intra-CAR corridors like Tengez-Galkynysh linking with this network. This network would include road & railway lines, gas pipelines, telecommunications & digital highways, and trade facilitation infrastructure along the network of roads & railways. The network of corridors would enable trade, commerce and energy supply between South Asia and Central Asia with the potential to link up with the European and West Asian markets. The Central Asian states would also be big beneficiaries linking up with warm water ports of Arabian Sea. Corridors like CAREC, TAPI, INSTC and IPI would also get a new lease of life through EWEC besides linking BRI and CPEC in a mutually beneficial equation. The EWEC is proposed to be implemented in phases starting with small standalone projects with the trust building and assuagement of the geopolitical tensions as the precursors of the concept.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan's new game to regain strategic depth
Lt General KJ Singh superannuated in August 2016 after 39 years of distinguished service. He commanded the formidable Western Command, an operationally committed Corps in the North East having borders with four countries, an armoured division in the strike corps, a T-90 armoured brigade, and an elite armoured regiment, 63 Cavalry. He is currently holding the prestigious Ranjit Singh Chair of Excellence in the Panjab University, Chandigarh. LESS ... MORE Targets degraded by India during Operation Sindoor unmistakably highlighted Pakistan's vulnerability in terms of lack of geographical and strategic depth. At its broadest, the country is merely 450km in width, in addition to active insurgencies in its largest provinces, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Hence, options for secure basing and defensive deployment are severely constrained. Yet, it has always displayed significant measure of resilience to retain relevance in the traditional arena of the great geo-strategic game, defined by confluence of conflicting civilizations — Islamic (Arabic, Persian and Turkic), Sinic, Slavic and Indian. Pak: Balancing expert As early as 1963, Pakistan gifted Shaksgam Valley to China and secured for itself an 'iron brother' relationship. In the Nixon-Kissinger era, it midwifed the courting of China by the US, which despite proving disastrous, still gives Pakistan, adequate balancing leverage in the US-China powerplay. It is indeed baffling to rationalise courting of Pakistan by both. US has thanked Pakistan for facilitating apprehension of Mohammed Sharifullah, the mastermind of Abbey Gate (Kabul Airport) suicidal attack on Aug 26, 2021, leading to death of 13 marines. This ISI ploy has been cashed many times, like how Pakistan vectored targeting of Al-Zawahiri in Kabul safehouse, on July 31, 2022. Field Marshal Asim Munir has been reportedly invited to US Army's 250th anniversary parade. US Army central command commander Gen Michael E Kurilla, while briefing Armed Services Committee, reportedly hailed Pakistan as a phenomenal partner in the fight against terror. It is indeed amazing to witness continued, sinister manipulation by Pindi (Rawalpindi) generals and incredulous naivety of US top brass. China, in Operation Sindoor, staked her reputation and standing in the arms market by providing Pakistan with platforms and munitions and seamless interoperability. It extended access to Beidou and other surveillance systems. The Chinese foreign minister orchestrated rapprochement between Pakistan and Taliban by roping in Afghanistan in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). It has the ominous portents of Taliban taking on the role of protectors and guarantors of CPEC. Security has been the corridor's Achilles' heel, despite Pakistan raising two light divisions, expanding the Frontier Constabulary and maritime security. Mujahideen, who were once envisioned as pipeline police for Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) energy grid, may not be averse to becoming highway militia for CPEC. It would also reduce freedom of manoeuvre for Baloch and Pashtun insurgent groups. It could also revive Pakistan's long-term strategy of seeking strategic geographic depth in its western backyard. Taliban will earn protection money as 'bakhsheesh' (bribe), even as shifting loyalties are rampant in the region. The quieter Durand Line and Iran border could enable Pakistan to turn its focus and mischief potential eastward. The US may even want to use Pakistan to check Iran. Strategic depth: The dimensions Pakistan's quest for strategic depth, often dismissed as floundering, merits a more nuanced consideration. Analysis cannot be driven by anger and moralistic considerations. PM Zulifkar Ali Bhutto and General Zia-ul-Haq can be described as two critical catalysts in Pakistan's endeavours. Bhutto steered the Islamic bomb, which is projected as a collective security for 'Ummah' (Islamic brotherhood). Iran's foray for a separate 'Shia' bomb, now degraded with Israeli attacks, could have further reduced the salience of the much-touted Pak capability. While it is right to infer that India has reinforced space below the nuclear threshold, but a misguided and unsubstantiated narrative around Kirana Hill could well build sympathy for Pakistan in the Islamic block. It is imperative that this narrative is controlled, and India continues to be respected as a responsible nuclear power. Pakistan will certainly try and cobble at least a scaled-down version of a ballistic missile shield. It may resort to deeper and hardened tunnelling for basing and even for infiltration across LoC. No defence line or shield is impregnable, yet it will certainly pose more stringent challenges in the next round. China now has access to large amounts of data gathered in Operation Sindoor, which could be weaponised against us. Armies world over are committed to territorial frontiers and safeguarding them, but Gen Zia added 'ideological frontiers' as an additional commitment. The old motto 'Ittehad, Yaqeen, Tanzeem' (unity, faith, discipline) was jettisoned for 'Iman, Taqwa, Jihadfi-Sablillah' (faith, piety, struggle in the name of Allah). The Quranic concept of war became the new doctrine. The treatise is being misused to build a false notion of victory. Pakistan will certainly try and cobble at least a scaled-down version of a ballistic missile shield. It may resort to deeper and hardened tunnelling for basing and even for infiltration across LoC. No defence line or shield is impregnable, yet it will certainly pose more stringent challenges in the next round. China now has access to large amounts of data gathered in Operation Sindoor, which could be weaponised against us. Armies world over are committed to territorial frontiers and safeguarding them, but Gen Zia added 'ideological frontiers' as an additional commitment. The old motto 'Ittehad, Yaqeen, Tanzeem' (unity, faith, discipline) was jettisoned for 'Iman, Taqwa, Jihadfi-Sablillah' (faith, piety, struggle in the name of Allah). The Quranic concept of war became the new doctrine. The treatise is being misused to build a false notion of victory. In this conception, resilience and commitment to fight the next round defines victory. We have witnessed that Pakistan celebrated the 1965 aggression as Youm-e-Difa (day of defence), even when reactionary India had an upper hand. Pakistan also doesn't accept its defeat in the 1971 war, despite a humiliating defeat. India will have to be prepared to deal with terror. Pakistan, afflicted with a 'parity syndrome', utilised external balancing by joining the Central Treaty Organisation (Cento) and signing the Baghdad Pact in 1950s. Unlike India, it has perfected the art of being a useful lackey on demand. Today, besides China, it has forged a strategic Islamic alliance with Turkiye, Azerbaijan and Qatar. The drift towards Ankara was anchored by Imran Khan, even when India was steering Saudi Arabia and Gulf nations towards a more balanced posture. It is known that the economy in Pakistan is on ventilator, yet it has managed to establish a reasonable defence manufacturing eco-system. Pakistan is leveraging Chinese technology for producing tanks, aircraft and missiles. It has even supplied artillery shells to Ukraine. There are already reports of projected collaboration in mining rare earths and strategic minerals in Balochistan. In sum, while we prepare for the next round of conflict, it will be pertinent to go beyond the geographical depth and give the devil its due, like they say — forewarned is forearmed. (Author is former GOCin-C of Western Command, Indian Army) Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
China's strategic ascent and future of regional power play
The recent trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan in Beijing represents more than a routine diplomatic engagement—it signals a strategic recalibration in the evolving architecture of regional connectivity and cooperation. While not a summit in the formal sense, the high-level dialogue underscores the increasing importance of regional mechanisms in fostering peace, economic integration, and mutual security. While the meeting's immediate focus was on regional development and stability, it also fits within a broader context where global powers are redefining their roles. China's expanding engagement in regional diplomacy—anchored in initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—reflects its aspirations to strengthen development-led connectivity while promoting economic resilience across Asia and beyond. A centerpiece of China's regional outreach remains the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), initially envisioned as a bilateral economic partnership. Today, it plays a broader role in enabling regional trade and economic interlinkages. For China, such overland corridors offer viable alternatives to maritime routes, especially in an evolving global environment where supply chains are becoming increasingly complex. Afghanistan's participation in this dialogue signals its continued relevance to the regional connectivity vision. China's constructive engagement with Kabul—focused on infrastructure development, mineral resources, and regional security—reflects a shared desire to integrate Afghanistan into broader development frameworks, thereby contributing to long-term peace and economic opportunity. The idea of expanding connectivity from China's Xinjiang region through Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan to Central Asia is becoming more tangible. In light of shifting global trade patterns and regional realignments, land-based corridors provide a resilient alternative for economic cooperation among Eurasian nations. Beyond infrastructure, the meeting highlighted China's evolving diplomatic posture. By hosting such multilateral discussions, Beijing positions itself as a facilitator of peace and cooperation. This evolution from a traditionally reserved foreign policy to one of proactive engagement reflects China's growing role as a key regional and global stakeholder. Meanwhile, broader geopolitical developments continue to influence regional alignments. As international frameworks adjust to strategic competition among major powers, the importance of maintaining dialogue, fostering mutual respect, and supporting peaceful coexistence becomes increasingly vital. Both the United States through initiatives like the QUAD and China via the BRI are advancing development-focused approaches to regional stability. These efforts, while different in form, share an interest in peaceful progress. Pakistan and Afghanistan, located at the crossroads of major connectivity routes, stand to gain significantly from such frameworks. For Pakistan, deeper economic ties under CPEC represent both opportunity and regional relevance. For Afghanistan, participation in transnational infrastructure projects may support its long-term development and international reintegration. For China, a stable and cooperative neighborhood enhances the sustainability of its initiatives. The trilateral meeting in Beijing should be viewed not as a contest of influence, but as an opportunity for constructive collaboration. As regional stakeholders work together, prioritizing transparency, inclusivity, and mutual benefit will be essential to ensuring that strategic ambitions translate into lasting peace and prosperity. In a world increasingly shaped by shared challenges and interconnected destinies, initiatives that bring nations together through dialogue and development are vital. The recent trilateral engagement may serve as an important step toward a cooperative and peaceful regional future—one built on trust, connectivity, and common purpose. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
