Media watch: Economic deals

Media discusses various economic deals Pakistan made in the last few days locally and internationally.

Media watch is a daily round-up of key articles featured on news websites, hand-picked by The Express Tribune web staff.

Many a slip...

If wishes were horses and we lived in an ideal world, the TAPI gas pipeline would be a dream come true for us but realistically, we must take stock of the ground realities. For starters, the proposed gas pipeline would have to pass through Afghanistan and Pakistan. The security situation in both countries is going from bad to worse. (dailytimes.com.pk)

TAPI gasline accord

Not only India’s arrogance will harm the project, perhaps beyond salvage, but it is not a good partner. No one would know this better than Pakistan, with which it has several outstanding questions, most notably that of Kashmir. Besides, even if this project got off the ground, it would assist India in overcoming its power crisis, something Pakistan should not do, as its industrial prowess will only be directed against Pakistan. (nation.com.pk)

Reko Diq project

Balochistan`s woes, including the presence of separatist elements, owe much to the deprivation of its people and the exploitation and use of their resources by others. The cry of deprivation emanating from the province is genuine. Projects such as Reko Diq could signal a future where Islamabad and its partners in Quetta would be better placed to counter dissent. (dawn.com)

Price of safety?

The Chinese may well be our good friends, and we have much to thank them for over the last thirty years. But they are not the only bazaar to shop in, unless of course the deal was ‘sweetened’ for somebody – no names mentioned – who ensured its smooth passage, bypassing the offices of Mr Regulation and Mr Oversight. (thenews.com.pk)