Pak-China partnership must for regional security: experts

Senator Mushahid Hussain warns against US-India emerging alliance

ISLAMABAD:

The experts speaking at a webinar said that the interdependence for Pakistan and China has increased in the given geopolitical circumstances in the region. Common interests of both countries are intertwined now whether they are of human security in the era of pandemic, socio-economic or strategic alliance to counter the increasing US-Indian collaboration against China

The webinar “Pakistan-China partnership for national security” was organised by the Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan) on Sunday. Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and Lt General (retd) Talat Masood were the keynote speakers. Senior journalist from Washington Anwar Iqbal, Executive Director Devcom-Pakistan Munir Ahmed, Prof Sarwat Kazmi and development expert Azhar Qureshi also spoke on the occasion.

Senator Mushahid said President Donald Trump’s policies have weakened the US economic streams, and same is the case with the western countries. Now, the balance of power is shifting to the east, and we the countries in Asia including central and south need to act smartly and stand united.

The stronger countries have to lead the alliance whether it is form or informal in nature. In the emerging situation, Pakistan and China both need each other more than any time in the past. They need to increase their collaboration in all fields sooner than later.

Lt General (retd) Talat Masood said strategic convergence of Pakistan and China is vital for the national security of Pakistan, economic stability and regional peace. China has proved to be a reliable partner in all the moments of need. So we trust them in future as well. Masood said: “we need to improve our defence capability that should be based on the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) instead of purchasing weapons for conventional war.”

Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director Munir Ahmed said no doubt China is a friend but it means business. “We will survive only if we play well. CPEC is not a free ride, it could be a ‘game-changer’ for Pakistan if we could know how to benefit from it.” Senior journalist Anwar Iqbal said China means business with Pakistan and every other country. Its blue eyed boys are the performing countries and economies with a huge lot of consumers. It is up to you how you benefit from it.

China can provide soft loans for efficient investments, knowledge and expertise but at the end of the day it is up to your skills and priority how you use the available resources for human security and defence systems.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18^th, 2021.