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ISLAMABAD: With the controversy surrounding Panamagate and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s extended stay in London following heart surgery dominating headlines, progress on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) seems to have taken a backseat.
The project seems to have become another source of tension between the civilian and military leaderships, and security sources tell Dawn that, as of late, the Chinese have been suggesting that the government formally rope in the army to ensure smooth execution of the project.
A security official privy to the development said the Chinese were “unhappy with the overall management of the project, particularly the involvement of various ministries”, which were causing unnecessary delays. They envisioned the creation of a separate ministry or authority to deal exclusively with the CPEC.
Asked if the military leadership was also interested in assuming a formal role in the implementation and monitoring of the project, the official said the corridor was crucial to the country’s economic and strategic interests. “Therefore, we are ready for any role that will help make it a success.”
Sun Weidong, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, called on Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on June 7. An official statement released after the meeting stated: “Matters of mutual interest, including regional security and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, came under discussion.”
PM weighing pros and cons of Chinese proposal to rope in army for expediting project
Sources say that over the past few weeks, the Chinese have repeatedly tried to prevail upon both the civilian and military leaderships in this regard.
The army has already created a special division to provide security cover to CPEC-related projects.
On June 23, President Mamnoon Hussain held a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Head of State Council Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. After the meeting, President Hussain was quoted as saying: “Pakistan is committed to the timely realisation of all projects under CPEC.”
Last Thursday, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan met visiting Chinese Minister for State Security Geng Huichang. During the meeting, the two agreed that top priority would be given to the security and timely implementation of CPEC.
Management issues
The project is currently being overseen by a special section set up at the Prime Minister Office — with Ahsan Iqbal’s Ministry of Planning and Development serving as the focal ministry.
The idea of creating a separate ‘CPEC Development Authority’ — which will provide all stakeholders, including provincial governments and the army, a formal forum to give their input — has been doing the rounds for quite some time now.
In addition, a Senate committee has suggested that pending the creation of a new authority to oversee the affairs of the corridor, control of the project be handed over to the Council of Common Interests (CCI) — which oversees matters involving the provinces.
China openly expressed its concern over the lack of consensus on the CPEC across the political spectrum when its embassy in Islamabad issued a statement in January this year. It urged political leaders to “address their differences in order to create favourable conditions” for the completion of the project.
A spokesman for the Chinese embassy had expressed the hope that “relevant parties should strengthen their communication and coordination on the matter”.
Talking to Dawn, Ahsan Iqbal said he was unaware of any such development and insisted: “The Chinese are very happy with the arrangement we have in place for CPEC.”
But a government official privy to discussions with the Chinese said the proposal to rope in the army had been on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s table for some time now.
“It seems the PM is not happy with the idea, but let’s see how he responds to the latest Chinese assertion. Personally, I think giving the army ownership of CPEC will only help ensure its trouble-free implementation. The military establishment has the manpower and technical expertise required,” the official, who didn’t want to be quoted on record, told Dawn.
He said the ruling PML-N wanted to tout the CPEC as one of its major achievements during its campaign for the next general election and would like to keep it firmly within its control.
However, the PML-N leadership has so far parried this suggestion, believing that such a move will force them to share control over the corridor with others.
Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2016
Comments (93) Closed
This is not army's bussiness
Everyone wants a piece of the cake..hope there is some left for.the common Pakistanis
Army should control the implementation of CPEC and a civilian from the government should be the in charge of the review of the progress.
That will make every body happy and CPEC will be completed on time.
Chinese nobody to advise Pak elected government. China crossing the limits.
CPEC destiny will be the same as nandipur and sevral other projects.
Nor able to follow:
Army is already in as they provide security only for Chinese workers
Neither Sharif is in control of CPEC as PRC is managing it
For lack of manpower, why should the Army be called in?
PML-N unwilling to share CPEC control with army.
That's the way it should be
The job of army is to provide security, rest is generally taken by government, why army want involvement everywhere?
@NADEEM KHAN: Than what is the business of the army?
Typical problem when two centers of power are in place
@p. vaidyanathan, Not if they are putting up $42 BILLION, there money, there rules, get over it.
Army should ensure the security of the border and at most the security of CPEC. However, situation demands Army to remain actively involved in CPEC's security
Anyway the Chinese are known for dealing with autocrats (Africa, Mid-east) and the people really in charge. Question is, is said proposal really coming from Chinese or do the boys want that perception to sideline the civvies on case CPEC becomes a big success?
It's civilian Government job to ensure timely completion of CPEC projects, not army.
Pakistanis pin so much hope and expectations on this CPEC project. It's insane.
This money making the project for PML-N politicians, they want to make sure no one is watching over their shoulder, especially Pak Army because they would not allow any corruption in CPEC project.
Need army to be more hands on!!!!! CPEC is more becoming the raiwand/Punjab province project
It is a simple case of interference in internal matters of Pakistan by China.
Those who are wise should very well understand that CPEC is the backbone of Pakistan's future economic growth and it will help make Pakistan much more self reliant.
The fact is that CPEC can&will not be accomplished without all out involvement of Pakistan Army&its COAS being directly involved in protecting the Line of Communication(LofC)that will run across from China throughout Pakistan upto Gwader port in Baluchistan.
I had earlier said Pakistan Army should raise 20 more additional Armed Forces composite Divisions to protect LofC for CPEC,and at the same time fight the war on terror alongside this CPEC project which will be otherwise a target of archenemies to sabotage this CPEC project through cross border sponsored terrorism and thus upset the progress of CPEC.
General Raheel Sharif (COAS) earlier had committed himself and had given a statement that CPEC project will be provided safe guards at all costs.
Army has to be involved for the successful accomplishment of CPEC project.
Crossing the limit by chinees bound to happen when you fully depend on one country for your local support and even for international support. Pakistan should improve its relation with all its neighbors for the better situation.
Another opportunity to show leadership for the benefits of country and its people.
pakistanis had so many hopes from cpec -- it is clearly dead now -- cpec is now failed and dead.
@NADEEM KHAN .....Floods, earthquakes, ghost schools, judiciary, law and order etc etc is also not army's business. CPEC is under attack and only army will protect it and there is no other option.
@Sohaib ....No agency in Pakistan has the capability to handle such a large construction work, particularly in the North other than Army Engineering Corps. Keep army away to fail the project and pile up money to buy Buckingham palace.
Pakistan is facing management issue as they never executed this scale of project at their own. Now you can't blame to people as education level in pakistan is very low. You can not get good skill from madarsa going student. In short its now biting them for their policy which they made in name of Islam.
@NADEEM KHAN Exactly. I second you. Army should be kept at bay from CPEC no matter how good they are.
Time for the Army to make a move. PML-N has become irrelevant.
@wise man ... Since qualified, trained and experienced engineering manpower in Pakistan is only held with the Army engineers all others are money eaters with poor engineering skills.
PML-N must first decide, whether it is governing in interest of pakistan. If the Chinese are basically telling you, you are incompetent , let the army finish the job. Then listen to them. CPEC is a game changer. It must be finished on time.
Army is also the part of Government, it is not a independent entity to act their own , there is mechanism in constitution how the state organs will function and who will control and engage them for betterment of the country .
Civilian projects require civilian oversight. Everything you cede to the army is just another blow against democracy.
@NADEEM KHAN, why not?
Typical PMLN issue; incompetent and insecure.
@p. vaidyanathan oh really its not China's business.
On rule basis the Democractic government is responsible for any kind of development projects but Political instability causes the delay in the projects in Pakistan, so there can be some mechanism to ensure the steady progress, military can be involved in that.
Its almost 2017 and sharifs havent even been able to complete islamabad airport.
This should be managed by a National Concensus committee, which has all the stakeholders including Industry, Provinces, Army, National Government, Overseas Pakistanis, political spectrum etc etc
it should be under federal government and army duty is to just provide security
@Lafanga you are wrong even before announcement of CEPC, they have completed widening of Hasanabdal to Havalian road and from Abbottabad to Thakot.
This project is the Future of Pakistan nd our crypt leadherleadership will not complet this project nd they will do more crupnation so army will take over this CPEC that would be great
Fact is Chinese are not used to freedom of expression and right to demand by various stake holder which democratic Pakistan do enjoys. They want CPEC to be executed by dictate as they govern China...Chinese desperation also indicate China needs CPEC more than Pakistan.
@p. vaidyanathan I think chinese is the one to invest all this, So why they can not advice. If you are so touchy about advices then tell government not to take investment from china and do your own investment
Rhe civilian government is not abke to manage such a project. We all know how the government works and how every ministry would be interfering. I think the Chinese have given an excellent suggestion. In Pakistan, only army can manage stuff, the rest is all mess.
Raheel says that he will protect CPEC at any cost. Army actually have no interest in CPEC. The only interest, pak army has in CPEC, is monetary interest!
When your partners see that you are weak, this is bound to happen. This kind of thing would be unthinkable in India.
They should work together because it is a National project not just PML(Nawaz) project.
The COAS is due for superannuation and he does not intent to have any extension. He can be made CEO of the CPEC with a good mingle of army and civilian authorities under him to execute the project.
R.S. Menon, Bangalore
@Zak ,whe the pessimism zak,you always love to call china "all weather friendly iron brother":)
This is the level of trust upon Government. N-league will surely use it for their election campaign.
Pathetic. It's a shame that our so-called 'people-mandated' government is so weak that they cannot even find consensus on how to go about such a crucial project. The army should have nothing to do with this, it's purely the responsibility of the civilian government. But where does one look when the civilian government is busy filling its own pockets?
@Red Planet Agreed.
@Zak Righto Zak sb .. Hope you will also acknowledge our PM Mr. Narendra Modi when he commented about dual power centers in Pakistan in recent interview...
@Zeshan What if civilian Gov. is not capable of ?
The so called democratic government's incompetence is to be seen every where in Pakistan. They can not even manage a single police station. Army is already involved and should be involved. By the way for those who are opposing this just to remind that this is so called democratic PM was the first person to involve army in civilian institutions. Remember WAPDA 1992?????????????
China is investing money thats why China is the boss.
@extra097 Hi! China is investing money but Pakistan is giving it's LAND. So Pakistan is a bigger investor!
@p. vaidyanathan this proves that pakistan has become a extended state of china. And confirms the status pakistan as a coolie of china. Lonf live Pak - China iron brotherhood!
@wise man , be wise about the construction of Karakoram Highway, the 8th modern wonder of the world, where army's involvement was the corner stone.
@Murtza Bilal you are cent percent correct
China should not change the internal democratic fabric of the country, it's asking too much for 46 Billion dollar client for a 300 billion dollar country. The price is too steep...
CPEC should be hand over to Pak Army. After all Pak Army is exceptional good in everything except fighting war particular against other armies.
@p. vaidyanathan China is the one funding and main stake holder for this whole project so yes they have the right.
It looks China is very serious about CPEC. Hold on it is Pakistan and 1 year is equal to 3 years here.
Boss, The are providing money. You must do as they say.
We'll be having the same conversations in 10 years time this project is dead before even starting.
Chinese are suggesting? Am I suppose to read between the lines? Whose country is this? Learn something from recent events in Turkey. People can do anything.
If Army can build KKH, why not CPEC!
Army is the most responsible and reliable stakeholder here, so that's why China looking for army supervision.
CPEC is an asset for Pakistan alike nuclear bomb. So it demands due care and proper check and balance; Unfortunately, democracy, merely 8 years old, is too young to control our 'economic bomb' making process. Therefore, roping in Pakistan army to avoid any possible lethal impact by arch rivals mourning on this game changer since its inception, sidelining corruption, averting ministerial influence and keeping every thing in an order, is of utmost importance for successful completion of all projects under CPEC.
Important to expedite project any way we can
@Syed Ahmed, Canada You sir living in Canada should know very well what is army's business in a democratic setup.
Name me one civilian government in Pakistan that's effwctively executed and managed a project size of just 5% of CPEC? NONE is the answer.
Kindly give Gen. Raheel Sharif overall command of CPEC on his retirement from the time tested, battle hardened military he leads successfully, with a popularity unmatched with no other.
They don't want to share because they want to make money for themselves. They do not think about the nation but are the epitome of greed and selfishness.
@Lahori Kid no Pakistanis need to get over that
@rrd you should know the "real " from your "pretenders" and you will have the answer.
@The Ravian well said
Army must be involved.
The photograph says alot.
There should be clear division of labour Army for security and government for managent and timely completion.
@Red Planet Pakistan wishes to have good relations with its neighbours but peace has to be two sided. Peace can not be achieved in the absence of willingness to resolve bilateral problems. You need to know more on what drives our region's dynamics. Pak- China alliance Zindabad.
This so called 'control' syndrem has ruined every aspect of life in this unfortunate land. On one hand you read and hear that we - 'two' are on same page. And here is the mirror of reality showing it is really not so. At this time, only loyal, dependable and 'national' institution is what they want 'side lined'. All colors and shades of civilians have to prove their 'national trustworthiness' before they can fully be relied on international comittment of this scale. Who has not seen their bickering on this matter from day one. Unity at home is a must on a project of this scale and that cannot happen without mutual trust, period.
Interesting, Ahsan Iqbal doesn't know! He really looks very reasonable to me. Although, most of us can see High level progress on social media but If they improve the presentation little bit more that will be helpful for a common man to understand the status. Army can't be dragged in all the matters. Civilians look from all the angles.
Why to call in the army ? Obviously the poor management and incompetency on part the government and the failure to solve the controversy over the western route has compelled the Chinese to go this far. As for me , if it leads to the development of the western route then I am for it. Otherwise it will remain a Punjab affair both ways.
PML-N Govt. is not capable for managing project of this magnitude and military leadership should be given the charge without further delay .
@dr maiza What happened to Nandipur and what are those several other projects? Do you have any specific information about Nandipur or those other projects you are referring to?
@Sri1 If Pakistan cannot deal with Chinese way of working then it is Pakistan has to change to get herself in gear. China has successfully completed many projects in Pakistan with army's cooperation and active participation before so civilian govt. knows what Chinese want. They want prompt actions and if they suggesting a separate ministry or an agency what is wrong in that? Enormity of CPEC project/s is too overwhelming for this govt as the project it demands dedication, discipline and hard work that this govt. is incapable of, only army can push them and that is is what PM would not want or does not like . When army is called on every thjing then why not its full participation on such strategic importance? What is wrong?
@Syed Chichi But PML(N) govt. always create conflict with army and would never change its ways from conflict to conciliation. To save his job PM should take a crash course in conflict management. He knows well he cannot have the cake and eat it too. In the end army will prevail and this govt. will look bad just one more time.
@Zeshan Yes, you could say it again but this civilian govt. or any civilian govt. for that matter must prove that it is capable of taking such a gigantic project.
Military has no business solving political issues. Some of the concerns shown by provinces are legitimate, which should be resolved politically. A few days back FPSC advertised one grade-18 post in gwadar port authority, but only the candidates having punjab domicile were eligible. Now the chinese and the army may not care who is selected for the post but the peoples representatives must raise voice against such discrimination
It is not a CPEC, it is a money making process for the MPs and MNAs. They are literally sucking every drop of blood to fill their accounts in Panama Leaks.
@Hope. This is how it is meant to be.
Why should Army need to include?