Pakistan to pursue diplomacy on CPEC

Civil-military conclave evaluates policy options in response to different foreign policy challenges


Sardar Sikander January 03, 2017
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: The country’s top civil and military leaders have decided to pursue effective diplomacy to counter the challenges faced by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which has been dubbed a ‘game-changer’ and ‘destiny changer’ for the region.

“CPEC is the cornerstone of our own quest for regional connectivity and shared prosperity,” read a statement issued after an important conclave at the Prime Minister House.

China says willing to promote CPEC with Pakistan

Premier Nawaz Sharif presided over the huddle where attendees included army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, DG ISI Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar, and the premier’s advisers Sartaj Aziz, Tariq Fatemi and Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Janjua.



It was the first civil-military conclave on foreign policy and CPEC since the change of military command.

The meeting “evaluated policy options in response to different challenges in regard to foreign relations” and “reviewed the current status of Pakistan’s relations with its neighbours and strategic partners”, according to the statement.

“The meeting focused on issues pertaining to regional, external and internal security situation. It also reviewed bilateral and multi-lateral relations with neighbouring countries, future road-map for regional stability and maintenance of mutually beneficial relations with all countries in the region and beyond,” it added.

Civil-military huddle decides to reach out to New Delhi, Kabul

Sources say the role of Afghanistan and India figured high during the discussions and the meeting discussed how to counter ‘hostile diplomacy’ aimed at undermining Pakistan’s counter-terrorism gains as well as sabotaging CPEC.

Defence analyst Brigadier (retd) Said Nazir Mohmand says diplomatic patterns are being reshaped in the region with the formation of new alliances. “A multi-polar world is in the offing in which Pakistan will have a central position,” he told The Express Tribune.

Pakistan, China and Russia are coming together to forge close relationship. “This means Pakistan would enhance its defence ties with China and Russia in addition to pursuing economic and strategic goals,” he added.

CPEC: a positive outlook

“Afghanistan is an irritant where India wields influence. Pakistan knows the importance of stabilising Afghanistan to secure its western front which is necessary for regional stability.”

Of late, media reports have been doing rounds that Iran and Russia want to be part of CPEC and Pakistan is considering engaging the two countries in the project.

Sources, however, say it is too early to give a definite reply but stakeholders share a strong willingness to work with mutual cooperation for pursuit of shared goals.

“The bad thing is: There are some hostile states that are out to sabotage CPEC. The good thing is: there is willingness among the stakeholders to act in mutual cooperation,” one source said. Pakistan believes in peaceful co-existence with all countries of the region and looks forward to establishing strong and mutually beneficial relations, reads the PM House statement.

“Peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and economically integrated region must be our shared objective and we must strive for realising this objective. This could be possible only when we demonstrate a commitment to our aspirations of peace, progress and prosperity,” it adds.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4th, 2017.

COMMENTS (2)

Lumdheeng | 7 years ago | Reply Pakistan and China must stop using India to promote their CPEC with allegations of interference and invitations. It being blown out of proportion.
Raj | 7 years ago | Reply First take action against all those organisatins and individuals who are focussed on troubling india through border infiltration. Pakistan is bound to implement the UN resolutions on this before asking india to implement. Only this will create a conducive atmosphere for talks with India.
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ