The writer is the Executive Director of the independent Centre for Research and Security Studies
Afghanistan is driving fearful debates all over the world. Officials and academics are vigorously engaged in lengthy discussions over the fate of post-2014 Afghanistan. By default, Pakistan also occupies the centre stage for a possible central role it can play in facilitating the tardy reconciliation process. Outsiders also wonder about Pakistan’s dealing with forces that directly threaten the interests of Afghanistan and its people.
At a recent multilateral meeting in Beijing, one could easily distinguish between the US and the Chinese narratives on the region. This also reflected the thus far laid-back Chinese approach, essentially rooted in the principle of non-interference. Most US intellectuals and ex-diplomats, as usual, wondered about Pakistan’s willingness as well as its capacity in proactively supporting the Afghan reconciliation process. But the Chinese provided an extremely heartening and surprisingly different narrative: the international community must shift the perspective from the demonisation of Pakistan to empathy and appreciation of what this country has done in the war on terror, as one Chinese researcher and academic underlined. (Note: the dialogue took place under the Chatham House Rules and we are, therefore, unable to attribute quotations or specify the event.)
“I am surprised to hear why almost every scholar criticises Pakistan,” said another Chinese academic, recalling her encounters with foreign scholars at international conferences. Two former ambassadors to Pakistan were equally vociferous in their support for Pakistan.
They also expressed deep concerns about Pakistan’s fragile economy and said they would love to see the successful implementation of the 128-plus projects as soon as possible as a measure of economic stabilisation and political solidarity. A senior vice-president of a Chinese think tank went several steps farther than many of his colleague when he loudly pronounced that, “Pakistan has made glorious contributions to the global war on terror and as a consequence, has suffered enormously both sociopolitically and economically”. Here, official Chinese scholars were pleading Pakistan’s case like even Pakistanis themselves don’t. It was quite comforting to hear Chinese friends speak up for Pakistan as ‘the victim of the war on terror’. They put up this defence of Pakistan in the presence of leading Western think tankers, intellectuals and ex-diplomats including those from the US, a country that generally still looks at Pakistan with critical scepticism and a sense of anger for being ‘duplicitous and not helping in the Afghan reconciliation’.
The Chinese message was quite clear: Pakistan has suffered enough and instead of continuously condemning it with undue expectations, China will stand by it come what may. Chinese officials, despite being cognisant of some contradictions within Pakistan’s security apparatus, admit that its capacity to handle many internal conflicts is totally stretched and that the external players need to strengthen that capacity to fight off terrorist movements.
Another important message that the Chinese keep conveying to Pakistan relates to the articulation of Pakistan’s policies. They offer a simple recipe for it: while clearing your decks, don’t be defensive about what you do in your national interest. But you should also remain open to realignments and policy adjustments as advised by friends rather than acting out of self-imposed cocoons.
Chinese officials and academics, however, also wondered whether the Pakistani ruling elite have finally taken the right turn? They are curious about the will to fight terrorism. While extending unconditional support, they expect categorical answers from Pakistan as to whether ambiguity over state institutions’ relationships with non-state entities is making way for a more candid policy embedded in a commitment towards indiscriminate rule of law?
This left us all wondering that, while China is supporting Pakistan rather vehemently, are the Pakistani ruling elite and the military establishment also ready to help Pakistan?
Published in The Express Tribune, March 19th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (28)
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Well at least someone's speaking for the poor country as within this poor country the federal government is too busy licking Indians' feet and corruption party too busy as usual in looting the part of the poor country still under its wadera rule
@Aziz: You r right. But you seem to have missed the concluding line""This left us all wondering that, while China is supporting Pakistan rather vehemently, are the Pakistani ruling elite and the military establishment also ready to help Pakistan?" Even the preceding graf raises similar questions. thanks
This is the behavior of a true friend, ally, and neighbor. Pakistan is sincerely blessed with such great friends as China and Turkey, who have always wished the best for us no matter what.
Indians commenting here could learn some respect, dignity, and culture from the Chinese.
@imtiaz gul: Thanks for your clarification. I sincerely appreciate it. I thought you were referring to an earlie meeting. My sincere apologies.
@Raj - USA: The meeting I talked about took place on March 12th, several days after the Kunming tragedy
Won't last unless Pakistan swears off of supporting terrorists and the ideology behind it.Evil can only go so far.
@A.M.Khan congratulating for your sharp observations. there could be few reasons.
more number of indians can access internet without any censorship. more number of indians can read english newspapers. indians are hungry for information / knowledge indians like to put forward their own opinion@A.M.Khan: Very true. And, so we get a distorted picture of opinion as the overall complexion of the comments become anti-Pakistan. ET should have some way to set apart the comments from non-Pakistan sources, especially on recommendations tallies.
China's best friends are North Korea and Pakistan. With Friends like these, China doesn't need enemies.
It looks like Indians read and comment more than Pakistanis on ET.
@author/others looking for solace from china. There has been bomb attacks on Europe and 9/11 on US so US and Europe know more about pakistan and also speak little harshly. There has been not single bomb blast inside china due to terrorism by AQ or other muslim organisations. Still they are ADVICING Pakistan, Imagine one or two bombs go off inside china, after that you can start comparison of there own language.
..... "also remain open to realignments and policy adjustments as advised by friends rather than acting out of self-imposed cocoons." A very sound advice. Of course there will be no takers.
Pakistani rulers have always acted on personal whims and filled with the misadventures their decisions have boomeranged more often than not .National interest and rationality have been anathema for Pakistani movers and shakers. behavior of a Nation can't be compared with an individual and false sense of bravado and taking a self declared moral high ground can't salvage a nation from the economical and political abyss.this is an irony that most of the failed nations in the world find a Chinese shoulder to feel good.China has been the most shrewd Nation as far as national interest and maturity of foreign policy is concerned.they have an uncanny knack of taking out profit even from the most loss-worthy investment.Pakistan is being milked merrily by this Giant for decades and has been abandoned at the most vital occasions.71, Kargil and recent floods are just some among a lot.nevertheless Pakistani rulers have presented a rosy picture of taller than Himalaya of sorts for the domestic consumption.India also had her own tinted glasses wala friend in USSR ,but in changing global scenario India today treats Russia more as an equal rather than a benefactor.to earn a better standing among the comity of nations Pakistan needs to stop acting as a victim and looking at US or China for an approval.
@R.Subramanian: If the grapes are sour then don't eat them. have a nice day.
So much criticism has come our way that we have forgotten what good advice is. China remains quiet and non-interfering but such a diversion, from its previous stance, is indeed welcome and surprising. Regarding advice on terrorism and economics, the change in attitudes is in want of URGENCY. Salams
Pakistan Government is doing its best to tackle those engaged against the State through politically motivated destructive violence. The Chinese recognize this and are ready to help. The Army and the establishment know how to use their limited resources for best results.
China even defends North Korea, my dear Sir. It doesn't mean anything.
NATO countries form more than 60% of the world's GDP. Look at Iran which took on this group. Few months of Sanctions tanked its Economy. It ultimately came back to ask for a deal.
North Korea, which has nukes like Pakistan, has to get food from UN for its peoples.
So, Chinese support will mean nothing if the 60% of the world's GDP countries think otherwise.
Assume things go south post the withdrawal and NATO slaps sanctions on Pakistan. Do you think China will risk Sanctions and help out Pakistan?
The answer can be found in what China did with respect to North Korea even today when it is under sanctions : China did nothing but express support. China will give Pakistan support in all forums except give Aid or rescue its Economy.
In return Pakistanis give undying loyalty, to the extent of ignoring the persecution of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang.
The Author fails to disclose or intentionally conceals that Chinese speaking up for Pakistan was days before the brutal terror attack on Kunming Railway Station and before the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines plane and importantly, before ETIM spokesperson in Pakistan wowed terror attacks on China. China does not want Pakistan to create more problems for it through ETIM terrorists who infiltrate from Pakistan.
China has been trying the same tactic that US was using earlier ..... warn and scold Pakistan privately and praise publicly in the hope that it would make Pakistan cooperate. US tactic failed. The Chinese have shown that they have nothing original of their own and are just copying what US was doing earlier. US, however has changed its tactic long ago. Also, after the Saudi gift, Pakistan has taken a stand that is opposed to China's position on Syria. It would be worth revisiting this article after the mystery of the missing Malaysian Airlines plane gets solved.
A strong country must have the credibility to speak for itself. Chine will keep praising as long as the recipient can reciprocate in an manner that can bring economic benefits. What China or anyone else says may not carry much weight anywhere. The country must do what it has to, irrespective of global opinion.
I guess it is now Chinese turn to enjoy Pakistanis strategic assets since they are so convinced about it why don't they get into Afghanistan and resolve the damn crisis or is it one more Asian nation acting holier then thou
National interests wrapped in "strategic" export of terror to neighbors cannot be explained. The civilized world is not buying it. Even China's empathy doesn't mean it is convinced of Pakistan's commitment to eliminating terrorism and all support to it for any all "strategic" reasons. No one in the world, including some Pakistanis, are either.
"Chinese officials and academics, however, also wondered whether the Pakistani ruling elite have finally taken the right turn? They are curious about the will to fight terrorism. While extending unconditional support, they expect categorical answers from Pakistan as to whether ambiguity over state institutions’ relationships with non-state entities is making way for a more candid policy embedded in a commitment towards indiscriminate rule of law?"
China is quite smart. Getting for free(Pak fight against Ugheris & East Turkumen to please China) what the West is getting at the expense of Billion of dollars. The Western money we get for fighting terror goes straight to China in form of buying shoes & locks to 3rd class military toys. I am personally witness to one of China Oil & Gas small rig Project & how the Chinese transfer money to a Dubai Bank Account of a Pakistani decision maker of to favour the Chinese contractor. So much for their 128 Projects(doo number). Win win for China. Bad luck for Pakistanis people. Our Analyst spare no opportunity to sing songs for praising China.
As if India has supported us in the past! . China is a force that matters. That is one of the wisest decisions of Pakistani leadership to have close relationship with China.
they expect categorical answers from Pakistan as to whether ambiguity over state institutions’ relationships with non-state entities . Blow through the smoke and China's concerns about Pakistan are identical to the USA and the rest of the World. You may prefer the term "ambiguity" over "duplicitous" but in this context there exactly the same. As far as Pakistan's self promoted roll as Afghan "peace maker" nobody believes that anymore - not the Afghan's, Taliban, NATO, Iran, India or even the Chinese. Nobody trust you which means your not going to be an effective mediator of the dispute.
The operative line in this article is"whether ambiguity over state institutions’ relationships with non-state entities is making way for a more candid policy embedded in a commitment towards indiscriminate rule of law?" And the answer is no as the vast section of elite in cohort with militant group like Haqqani network,Quetta Shura,Let ,various shades of TTP. etc.Banned Militant groups are openly holding public meetings.
Mr. Gul,
You are hoping against hope.
We produce feudal (waderas , Chaudhries or Maliks), industrialists or terrorists not scholars or thinkers. We cannot expect the present breed of rulers (rather hired rulers) to put up an intellectual defence of Pakistan. Ask us the rate of Dollar or the price of real estate in Dubai, London or New York. This is the limit of our knowledge.
If Pakistanis take console from the Chinese words means it is not good for Pakistan society. There is so much of wrong policies followed by Pakistan Government and Army, unless those policies revoked there can't be peace in Pakistan (this is the harsh reality) the quicker the Pakistan policy makers understands this issue, quicker the solution will come for them. If Pakistan thinks that they had done enough against terrorism (as Chinese says) it can help their self pride but it won't solve their problem. Still Pakistan has not decided fully to fight against against terrorism, they are doing it half hearted effort and doing it under the compulsion of US not for the well being of Pakistan people.