The Game Changer: Pak-China Corridor

[Anwer_Pasha]

Re: The Game Changer: Pak-China Corridor

**Referring once again to this article
**

@Anwer_Pasha

If you read this article
*When means do matter
Dr Tahirul Qadri undoubtedly moved me on December 23, especially with the sea of green and white flags and the passionate resonance of the national anthem. We may be far from where we want to be, or should be, as a nation, but the passion and dream lives on in so many of us. Dr Qadri’s message touched a chord and the instinct was to join up in his caravan for change. After all, this was what had attracted me to the PTI until the “electables” invasion, traditional manoeuvring and takeover. Imran’s commitment to change was not the issue, but the means – of the same “electables” somehow becoming harbingers of this change – did somehow undermine the belief, notwithstanding the passion of the youth!

So when Dr Qadri in his convincing manner offered yet another path to truly change the democratic political equation in Pakistan, it was difficult not to join in. But something held me back, and I can now identify three different levels of reasoning that made me decide to stay away. The first level was related to the assumptions underlying the march, regardless of the numbers! The idea of having a “people’s assembly” which would make decisions for the nation without itself having been selected by the people smacked of an arrogance that was discomfiting! After all, how could this “people’s assembly” represent the whole gamut of the Pakistani nation without having actually been given this mandate? Similarly, respected scholar though he is, Dr Qadri also has not been given a mandate to head such an assembly and make decisions on behalf of the people of Pakistan!

At a second and perhaps most crucial level, I feel that, given the chaos and violence Pakistan is already experiencing, the means of bringing change matter. There is absolutely no doubt that the demands for electoral reforms through proper enforcement of the constitution are the need of the hour for Pakistan to rid itself of the corrupt politicians’ coterie ruling us. But the questions that came to mind are: One, why not use the Supreme Court and challenges through the ECP to ensure enforcement of constitutional provisions with regard to electoral candidates? Here Imran Khan’s example stands out in connection with bogus voters’ lists, as well as his pending appeals against pre-poll rigging.

There is a system that works, if used properly. This usage also allows for strengthening of institutions like the judiciary and the ECP – thereby fortifying the roots of democracy. I feel Imran’s use of petitions to fight electoral corruption not only shows faith in the judiciary, thereby fortifying the institution, but has also borne positive results in the battle for electoral reform – although the war has yet to be won.

Two, how can one man and his followers decide who is clean or pious? At the end of the day, if we believe in democracy then we must fight the battle against corruption and lawbreakers at the ballot box. Yes, rigging is a plague, as are the traditional political norms, especially in the rural areas; but if enough voices stand up against these evils, I believe things will change. We have never given the democratic system, flawed as it may be, a chance to take root. Too many dictatorial interventions in the name of “reform” have already cost this country a smooth evolutionary developmental process. In fact, this is a major reason why the corrupt, inept traditional “electables” succeed time after time in elections – because they are allowed to embrace political martyrdom instead of being exposed for the criminals that they are.

Distasteful as it may be, we have to allow the system to continue and hope people will choose new faces, who will in turn bring reform to the electoral system through parliamentary legislation. We need a system of proportional representation; of unhinging the roots of support for corruption in politics such the misnomer “development funds,” and so on. But these changes need to come through letting the electoral system continue, which may make the task more daunting but it is the only legitimate way. Too many non-democratic interventions have already destroyed the fabric of this nation.

Three, I feel very strongly about the whole issue of dual nationality and had written a letter to the CJ on the issue also. No matter how committed to Pakistan, dual nationality implies dual loyalties, especially in the case of the US naturalisation oath. If one wants to lead a political movement in Pakistan then commitment to this cause requires a renunciation of the foreign nationality. Not everyone agrees on this, but it is a conviction with me.

At a third level, my misgivings are based on what I tend to call “connecting the dots.” The timing of Dr Qadri’s return; information flowing out from British sources that the UK High Commissioner to Pakistan visited Dr Qadri in Canada two or three times about six months ago; the growing belligerency of drones and Indian troops along the LoC, alongside an unprecedented increase in terrorism, especially in Quetta; the sheer money and organisational structure that suddenly became overt – just too many coincidences in terms of timeline. Some said the “establishment” was behind Dr Qadri, but I am not convinced on that count! However, external powers I suspect have a role, although I have no proof – simply an educated assessment of what is happening within Pakistan and in our region.

We know the US seeks a favourable dispensation in Islamabad up to 2014 so that its withdrawal from Afghanistan can be smooth and the post-withdrawal scenario to its liking. A long-term friendly caretaker setup would suit them more than an elected government, especially since they are not sure what will happen in the next elections when there is no NRO and no “guarantors”! We also know how the UK played a lead role in the whole NRO game, so the same linkage can be taken as a given again. Banking on someone they recognise as a “liberal religious leader,” who has even sought to justify drones before December 23, they feel will allow them to bring the Pakistani nation on board. These are dangerous and false assumptions but it will not be the first time such miscalculations have been made.

Too many questions to set the mind at ease over the agenda of Dr Qadri – a man to be respected for his scholarship. But if he is really concerned about the people of Pakistan then a march that would win support from all over the country would be a peace march to Quetta. Now, that would be a march I would join without hesitation. Till then elections and legal challenges to enforce constitutional provisions are the route to achieve change. The means do matter.
*When means do matter - Shireen M Mazari
Just read this with title of this thread , you can understand present situation .

Very Sad
We lost , Pakistan looses
The Traitors , The conspirators won
CIA and its agent played better than we Pakistanis
**The President of China postponed the visit of Pakistan **

[desert_bird]

Re: The Game Changer: Pak-China Corridor

Dar invites ICBC for infrastructure development of Gwadar

21 HOURS AGO BY INP

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Federal Minister of Finance Senator Ishaq Dar met with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) Chairman Jiang Jianqing at Beijing and suggested that infrastructure development of Gwadar was one the key area where the bank’s cooperation could be useful.

At the outset, Chairman Jian Jianqing expressed his gratitude to the government of Pakistan for bestowing him with Hilal-i-Quaid-e-Azam award. He said he was honoured and pledged support to strengthening the Pak-China relationship.

Minister Ishaq Dar appreciated the ICBC’s continued support and expansion of its operations by opening bank branches in Pakistan. He said being the 6th largest in terms of population in the world, having sizeable middle class, a vibrant consumer market and owing to its geographic location, Pakistan was an ideal location for enterprises eyeing the regional market. Together with a liberal investment regime and an enormous natural resource endowment, Pakistan offered promising prospects in assuring attractive investment returns in various sectors including energy, power, mining, agriculture and infrastructure, he added. He hoped the ICBC’s partnering with the enterprises in developing the potential would make it a mutually win-win situation for all parties.

Talking about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, he said both the countries had agreed to a profile of early harvest projects. The ICBC could seize the investment opportunities thus available, he said, and pointed out that the infrastructure development of Gwadar was one key area where the bank’s cooperation could be useful.

He said Pakistan’s policy regime in the power sector was very rewarding. The government has set tough targets for itself in their vision document 2025, he said, and expressed the government’s determination to cut down on wasteful expenses and following strict financial discipline to indicate its resolve.

Chairman Jian Jianqing said that the ICBC’s current portfolio of projects in Pakistan consists of 24 projects with a cost of USD 10 billion. He said the ICBC was talking to a number of Chinese companies for energy projects including solar, wind and hydel. Other sectors wherein the Chinese companies are exploring options are in the Gawadar Industrial Zone where the Chinese entrepreneurs are willing to set up cement and other manufacturing industry. The development of such zones would trigger economic growth and drew attention of the finance minister stating that the government support is essential for such ventures.

He said the ICBC was also trying to introduce textile sector of Pakistan to the Chinese companies. If the GOP could provide preferential policies to the Chinese companies investing in Pakistan, it could propel accelerated investment in Pakistan from China.
The ICBC chairman suggested that Pakistan should focus on development of its light engineering sector to improve its economy. He expressed satisfaction on learning that Pakistan was taking special steps to cater to the security needs of the Chinese working in Pakistan.

[desert_bird]

Re: The Game Changer: Pak-China Corridor

Energy crisis: Pakistan looking to form coal supply chain

By Our Correspondent
Published: November 23, 2014

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Difficulties in arranging huge amounts of loans and regulatory issues have delayed the start of work by at least a year. PHOTO: REUTERS

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KARACHI: **Pakistan has started work on establishing a coal supply chain for various power plants in an attempt to address the country’s electricity shortage and reduce the reliance on expensive furnace oil, said an industry official on Saturday.

Coal, in the millions of tons, would have to be imported for power plants, which the government has been pushing investors to build in Punjab and other parts of the country.
But difficulties in arranging huge amounts of loans and regulatory issues have delayed the start of work by at least a year.

“I don’t know how long it takes but the fact is that circumstances require the addition of at least 10,000 MW based on coal,” said Aasim Siddiqui, managing director at the Marine Group of Companies, in a meeting with a group of journalists.
Marine Group is building a 12-million-tons a year terminal at Port Qasim to handle coal imports. It is also hoping to get into the business of transporting coal through rail.

Siddiqui said that the terminal, which should be completed by mid-2016, will be able to utilise its entire capacity.

“We are hoping to sell 5 million tons a year to cement plants, 3 million tons will be imported for K-Electric and another 5 million for two other power plants,” he said.

There have been concerns that while coal-based power plants are being promoted vigorously, not enough has been done to arrange for the transportation of coal.

But he said that Pakistan Railways has already issued a tender for purchase of 50 locomotives, powerful enough to move large shipments of coal.
**

Pak-China Economic Corridor**

Siddiqui, who is also the All Pakistan Shipping Association (APSA) chairman, sees 7 million more containers passing through Pakistani ports once China starts using Gwadar port and road link via its neighbour. This is an increase of at least three times in existing traffic.

“Cost of doing business in China’s east coast region has gone up in recent years,” he said. “They are moving the industry to the western parts, which are closer to Pakistan.”

Trade traffic from Europe travels 19,000 miles to reach western China. However, the distance can be cut to 9,000 miles if Pakistani ports and roads are used.

China has been in control of Gwadar port for the past few years but it has hardly seen any activity.

“Even ports like Jebel Ali and Port Qasim remained dormant for 10 years. That shouldn’t be a concern. It takes time to woo the shipping lines but once they do then everything changes.”

As the APSA chairman, he said that he wanted to prepare the industry for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

“Imagine the economic activity this amount of cargo will generate. Entire cities will prop up along the routes — there will be hotels, restaurants and petrol pumps. Cargo villages and other affiliated industries will come up,” he said.
*

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23[SUP]rd[/SUP], 2014.*

[Anwer_Pasha]

Re: The Game Changer: Pak-China Corridor

Actually CIA working against Pak-China relation since decades
They were against PPP , Now they may be against N$
They may use another against N$

[desert_bird]

Re: The Game Changer: Pak-China Corridor

Welcome move: Chinese president to visit Pakistan in Feb

By Abdul Manan
Published: December 22, 2014

****ISLAMABAD: China’s President Xi Jinping is to visit Pakistan in February 2015 along with the heads of dozens of companies, members of a Chinese delegation told the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz at a meeting on Sunday.

The delegation, led by Vice Minister of the International Department of the Committee of the Communist Party Chen Fengxiang, has called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and MNA Hamza Shahbaz Sharif in Islamabad and Lahore, respectively.

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The sources revealed that the PML-N leadership and Chinese team discussed Jinping’s visit and Chinese companies’ interest in carrying out uplift projects in Pakistan.

They said that the Chinese delegates expressed satisfaction over Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s decision to call off its protracted Islamabad sit-ins. A strategy has been devised on how to benefit from this situation and convince Chinese companies to come to Pakistan and carry out various projects.

PM Nawaz, during his meeting with the delegation said that postponement of President Xi Jinping’s visit in September was unfortunate and the people of Pakistan are eagerly looking forward to welcoming the president soon.

The delegation also met Shahbaz Sharif along with members of Punjab’s cabinet and party leadership.
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Published in The Express Tribune, December *22[SUP]nd[/SUP], 2014.

[Anwer_Pasha]

Re: The Game Changer: Pak-China Corridor

It could really change Pakistan , We should hope and prey for success of this plan

[desert_bird]

Re: The Game Changer: Pak-China Corridor

Bids invited for Pak-China Economic Corridor project

Syed Irfan Raza
Updated about 8 hours ago

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A Pakistan national flag flies alongside a Chinese national flag in front of the portrait of Chairman Mao Zedong on Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. — Reuters/File

ISLAMABAD: Bids have been invited from Chinese construction companies and other international and local firms for the multi-billion dollar project of Pak-China Economic Corridor (PCEC), the country’s biggest road project recently launched by the government.

According to a document, the bids have been invited through national and international publications.
Work on one of the sections of the PCEC has been initiated this month under which a motorway from Havelian to Thakot as phase-I of the Islamabad-Raikot section of the corridor would be constructed.

The Havalian to Thakot section of the corridor is being financed by China while other phases will be carried out on the basis of Built Operate and Transfer (BOT).

The second section of the PCEC will be initiated next month for the construction of a motorway from Karachi to Hyderabad. The project has been awarded to the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO).

The third section will be initiated in a couple of months for the construction of Multan-Sukkur Motorway.
Some other sections, including Hyderabad to Sukkur, Lahore to Multan and Sukkur to Multan motorways will be started one by one.

Talking to Dawn, a senior official of National Highway Authority (NHA) said that it was a wrong impression that only Chinese firms would execute work on all sections of the PCEC. Bids had been invited from all international and local firms and any firm could win the contract, he added.

He said in a major strategic shift the NHA’s financial regime had been changed and all mega road projects were being executed on the basis of BOT.

In past such projects were conducted through government assistance.
The official said the firms which would invest their money in the PCEC project would be paid through collection of road tax (toll).

“We will not give any prior financial guarantee to the firms but they will be given toll plazas, service areas and the right-of-way of the sections they will execute,” he added.

The official said besides the PCEC project some other related projects would also be initiated soon. They included reconstruction of existing Islamabad-Lahore Motorway and Karakorum Highway (KKH) that originates from the Pak-China border.
Talking about the Islamabad-Lahore Motorway (M-2), the official said according to its original plan it was to be reconstructed after 10 years of its construction but it was not done even after the lapse of 17 years. This project was also being executed on the BOT basis.

Answering a question about a controversy that the NHA has awarded a contract to a firm of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s close aide Saifur Rehman, the head of defunct Ehteasb Bureau or the previous version of National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the official said no contract of any section of the PCEC had been awarded to Mr Rehman.

However, he added, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) had been signed between the NHA and Mr Rehman’s firm for a consultancy study of the PCEC project which was being carried out free of cost.
*

Published in Dawn December 24th , 2014*