Dear reader, online ads enable us to deliver the journalism you value. Please support us by taking a moment to
A recent angry statement issued by the government about “media reports questioning the viability of CPEC” has only fuelled scepticism, instead of addressing concerns.
The statement appears to be in response to a few articles that appeared in the international media regarding the terms on which loans have been given by China; the articles have questioned the ability of the Pakistani economy to service these loans.
For a number of years, former minister for planning and development Ahsan Iqbal had used similar language to swat away sceptical talk and all the questions raised about CPEC — to little avail. It is similarly useless for the caretaker government to resort to such indignant language.
The fact is that uncomfortable questions as well as pesky media commentary swirl around the entire CPEC enterprise because of the sheer lack of transparency which characterises the project. Asad Umar, who is widely expected to be the next finance minister, has said publicly that his government will place all CPEC agreements before parliament; indeed, he must be held to this commitment.
Once the project is discussed and debated in parliament, with greater details provided, much of the irritating analysis and commentary will automatically go away, provided that the information bears out what the government is telling the people and their elected representatives.
Additionally, the new government must also place before parliament the full text of the Long Term Plan that was finalised with the Chinese side in November 2017. The previous government may have touted CPEC as a ‘game changer’ for the country, but it made a mistake by deliberately concealing important details about the project at the same time.
If CPEC is indeed a ‘game changer’, it is all the more imperative that its terms and conditions, and other details, be known, understood and debated by all stakeholders, including the public, when the next government begins its rule.
When the government tries to advance the project under opaque conditions, feeding a largely cosmetic public relations line to us all, then it naturally arouses suspicion and scepticism. One of the big challenges for the incoming government, therefore, is to remove the veil of secrecy wrapped around the project and encourage a more inclusive conversation.
That is what will finally settle this whole debate about what exactly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is, and how Pakistan can best manage it to serve its own interests.
Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2018
Comments (22) Closed
We need to differentiate between legitimate concerns around transparency on the one hand, and incendiary rhetoric about Chinese neocolonialism on the other. Intelligent people can see through media agenda and see which is which.
Really if Imran's govt has done putting all cpec papers in public, then new govt's honeymoon period has closed. Count the no. of days he will be in power?
This article is beautifully and thoughtfully written taking no sides but just asking pertinent questions. Kudos
Great editorial, thank you Dawn. I'd like to add that the CPEC website seems a lot better than almost all Govt websites, but it still lacks important and vital information on loans and equity, like debt terms and equity IRR. The annual aggregate and expected forex outflows for next 10 years must be provided, on both debt servicing and dividends. Lack of information creates doubts and CPEC could come under irrational criticism.
It is time that the entire agreement on CPEC was put before the parliament and approval for the same sought. It will grant the same legitimacy which otherwise is lacking. Why should it be hidden thereby creating doubts about the same? Any costs risen to award any one illegally must also be cut down to bring the same acceptable to the countries involved.
Asad Umar is going to have to eat humble pie, CPEC is overseen by the establishment and they are never going to allow for all details to be shared with the parliamentarians.
An excellent editorial. Most people believe that it is a game changer but it is a legitimate concern that at least Parliament must know all the details. What is their to hide if there is nothing to hide?
If anything there should be a public debate about the role and involvement of state funded institutions in commercial corporate ventures with masssive tax rebates. CPEC is an agreement between two governments just like any other joint venture we have had previously with other states and therefore the projects alone can be assessed.
It is also likely that the West is scared of the favorable terms offered to Pakistan for CPEC loans by China and wishes to know them.
Why the West has kept deadly quiet on Qatari LPG terms for Pakistan despite all the efforts for it by Pakistanis?
Transparency and accountability are the need of the hour everywhere including the massive CPEC project.
There are always bad apples in the box, but here, there are FOREIGN bad apples in the box.,
I think the article explains very nicely about CPEC. Yes , it will be really excellent work , done by the new regime, if they do so. People of the country will know the reality of the project. At the moment, every channel on TV ,has his own experts and they explain the project in their own way. It reacts the confusion among the public .
@Saif Zulfiqar
How many foreign good and bad apple comes in your country depends on how many fruits you are able to grow. Your balance of payment issues indicates that you have more imports than export in any case...
I highly doubt IK puts the cpec before Parliament. It's not 1 or 2 million, it's 65 BILLION. So many hidden agendas will be there. It's suicidal for any govt to put it in parliament.
Very well said. In democracy, transparency is essential in government dealings.
Secrecy about the CPEC is exactly what elected Imran Khan. The people were tired of all the secret money deals enriching politicians. The people have demanded the right to transparency.
@Fuzail Z. Ahmad ... Whatever your hopes, debt has already enslaved the people.
A blunt Editorial demanding answers to all valid questions which in the past have been masqueraded on one pretext or the other by the Pakistan Govt.Officials on CPEC. Well done DAWN.
Refer the question to Mian Nawaz Sharif.
Yes, Pakistan needs a strong ally, but at the same time because of Pakistan's dire need's, one can not sell out Pakistan for some false illusion of prosperity. How does CPEC help Pakistan other than allowing China an easier mode of transport for it's own exports.
Yes, people have legitimate concerns. Just publish FULL details, how much, for what and how to payback period.
Good article, but the establishment will prevent the government of the day releasing all the details of the agreement. If there was nothing to hide, it wouldnt have been kept hidden all this time