CPEC: new impetus

China and Pakistan reaffirm commitment to CPEC, focusing on industrialisation, security, and regional development.

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China and Pakistan have lived through thick and thin, and their vision for a progressive tomorrow is worth-emulating. Moreover, their strategic unanimity is an asset and it is, perhaps, the only bilateralism that is not impacted with crosscurrents and upheavals around them. That sentiment was once again reaffirmed by the two sides at the 5th meeting of the CPEC Joint Working Group in Beijing, which went on to reiterate the resolve to get going and to concentrate on industrialisation and building of Special Economic Zones in the second leg of their multi-billion dollar geo-economic venture.

The session was co-chaired by Chinese vice-foreign minister Sun Weidong and Pakistan's foreign secretary Amna Baloch. It has been made clear that the two sides are committed to high-quality development in the arenas of clean energy, agriculture and livelihood projects. This renewed pledge, seen in the light of fissures that had set in owing to a spike in terror activities against Chinese interests in Pakistan, is highly appreciated.

While Beijing has, more than once, underscored the importance of ensuring foolproof security to make CPEC a success, it is a good omen that political and governmental understanding has made new inroads, and the second phase of connectivity, production and logistics is back on track. The throwing open of Khunjerab Pass year-round is a great feast, and must be pampered with unhampered trade and travel access by undoing bottlenecks in the visa regime. The fact that China holds Pakistan's national development close to its heart will surely bring more dividends, as the former's cross-continental framework of BRI gets a successful passage through the latter's landmass.

The clubbing of bilateral development with five Es – exports, e-Pakistan, energy, environment and equity – is set to go a long way in not only pulling Pakistan out of the abyss of debt and poverty, but also help foster serenity in the region. As a catalyst to the new understanding, both countries must cooperate in countering terrorism to make CPEC 2.0 the heartthrob of people-centrism in Pakistan's underdeveloped regions.