THE recent official US response to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is that that it “runs through a disputed territory.” This is a new development that should be taken up seriously.

The American stance must be taken in the context of the continuous US support to the Indian narrative and the tougher stance of the Trump administration towards Pakistan.

The US is not happy with Pakistan on a number of issues, including Islamabad’s alleged support to the Haqqani network. Pakistan is in the throes of looking for new friends in the region, as its recent bonhomie with Russia shows.

It seems the Great Game is to be played again but the CPEC project is our future and we must pursue it at all costs. If this upsets Washington so let it be.

Abdullah Wazir
Bannu Khyber Pakhtukhwa

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2017