IT might yet be the largest delegation from any country attending the One Belt, One Road summit in Beijing that was seen alighting from the aircraft on Friday. Pakistan’s delegation consists of 11 senior leaders — from the prime minister to all four chief ministers — five members of the cabinet and the prime minister’s adviser on foreign affairs. Then they are a number of other junior officials who have been blessed with an invitation to travel with this group to Beijing. The OBOR summit is an important event for Pakistan, whose participation is crucial by virtue of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and high-level representation is necessary. But although there are important memorandums of understanding to be signed, one wonders how many of the delegates have come because their attendance is actually required, and how many have taken it as a joyride and a chance to press the flesh. Most other countries in attendance have opted to send far leaner delegations, because this is, after all, about diplomacy and business. It is not a wedding ceremony.

We are entitled to ask how many of the agreements and MoUs that are signed during this trip will be shared with the public or parliament. Most importantly, when does the government intend to make the long-term plan for CPEC, which is going to be finalised on this occasion, public. All other economic documents that have a far-reaching impact on the economy are made public, so why should this document be an exception? Since Pakistan’s leadership has chosen to represent the country with such force at this summit, perhaps they can now opt to communicate the understandings reached during it with equal emphasis to their own people back home. China is embarking on a historic venture with the OBOR initiative, and although the real fruits of the venture will take time to materialise, it is crucial for Pakistanis to know what exactly they are agreeing to, and what sort of changes they should expect. Thus far, CPEC has been little more than several rounds of smiles and handshakes for people here, and a growing number of them are now asking when the bill is expected, and how much it is estimated to be. Perhaps the visiting delegates should be required to present a detailed report to the national parliament and the provincial assemblies on all that they did during this visit.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2017