It is thus with concern that we note the postponement of a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping scheduled for mid September, a development announced by Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz. Before the president of any state visits another there are months of preparation, and in these dangerous days there is a visit by a team of security specialists to the host state. Their job is to make a risk analysis — is it safe for their president to visit the country of choice. In this instance the Chinese security team refused to give a security clearance on the grounds that there was political instability centred on the ongoing protests in Islamabad against the sitting government. Sartaj Aziz said that the postponement may cause “irreparable harm” and that every effort was being made to get the visit rescheduled. Mr Aziz may be overstating the case somewhat as the Chinese are not just going to walk away from a key strategic partnership, but there is truth in his words. The protests have already cost the country billions of rupees and undermined foreign confidence. The longer they continue the greater the cumulative damage. The Chinese deferment sends a powerful message to the Nawaz government. We hope it is received and understood.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th, 2014.
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From what the editorial itself comments here, Pakistan is dependent on friends for it's day to day functioning. Without "friends" there is no infrastructure, no development just arabanization of the land of pure. Without China's help, Pakistan would be most likely be moving around on camels cause they don't even have enough wealth as oil reach Arabs whom they thrive to imitate so desperately. Last 68 years and no development initiative. No products of global standards produced by Pakistan besides textiles and mangoes. And not that because they are of best quality, but simply because its cheap labor. And even for that Pakistan had to be EU block to make it tariff free and had to beg it's rival India to remove any trade objection. So Pakistanis, grow up, be happy with what u have, stop creating terrorists and useless nukes for Kashmir, and develop what is left of your land. Not a humiliation but a sincere concern and request. Since you will be my neighbor and I don't want my neighbor to be impoverished since it brings my real estate value down.
All this cooking to condemn the protest and attempt to dilute its force against rigged election and ruthless killing in Model Town and obstruction of justice by blocking even Registeration of FIR. As clarified by Chinese embassy, the plan for visit was not yet firmed and it was deferred to wait for the fate of Nawaz Sharif who is in power through rigged elections.
The cancellation of the Chinese President's visit should be a lesson for us. The mantra should be self-reliance. Why do we need China or any other country to build our own infrastructure? Money and technology are available at home but we need visionary leaders, not bunch of selfish and incompetent persons masquerading as leaders. Pakistan is in existential crisis. We better wake up soon before we lose our soul to group of extremists.
All weather friend got hit by tsunami.
China propped up Pakistan and stood with her rain or shine. Without China there would be no Gwadar port, upgrading of the Karakoram highway or north-eastern trade corridor etc. The most important item missing in the list is nuclear stations and associated bombs. You are damn right. But the reasons are wrong. China did this not out of love for this country but to counter balance and tie India to her neighbourhood. Be assured China is not ready to abandon Pakistan, yet.