Imran in China

As PM completes a generally successful tour of the People's Republic

Prime Minister Imran Khan has completed a generally successful tour of China. One of the more prominent developments has been an explicit statement of support from the Chinese military on the Kashmir issue. A statement on the meetings between Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and senior officials from the Chinese military noted that the Chinese praised Pakistan’s “principled” and “sane” stance on the disputed territory and India’s aggressive moves in the region.

The Pakistan Army chief also apprised Chinese military leaders of the consequences of the ongoing situation in the India-occupied Kashmir. At the same time, PM Imran Khan and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang agreed to the implementation of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to further enhance trade, economic, and investment opportunities between the two countries. Prime Minister Imran Khan and Premier Li also discussed bilateral trade and economic partnership as well as regional security, including the serious human rights and humanitarian situation in the India-occupied Kashmir.

The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and related projects, along with potential collaboration in railways, steel, oil and gas, industry, and science and technology sectors also came up for discussion. Also, while Kashmir was not mentioned in the first official statements about the meeting, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang reiterated that China’s position on Kashmir was “clear and consistent”. He said China calls “on India and Pakistan to engage in dialogue and consultation on all issues including Kashmir issue and consolidate mutual trust,” which, in the world of diplomacy, is a knock on India for its refusal to hold good-faith talks on the Kashmir issue. But despite the potential economic positives, there were a few stumbles for the premier, most notably his remark on wanting to jail 500 people for corruption, where he also stated his disappointment with the Pakistani justice system.

It does not good look for a prime minister to publicly criticise his own political and legal system on foreign soil.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 10^th, 2019.

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