Sino-Pak ties in realm of trust

After his visit to India, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday praised the existing Pak-China relationship terming the friendship between the two 'unmatchable' and that had always withstood the tests of time. He went on to say that 'our hearts beat together and if there is anything time-tested in this world, it is Pakistan-China friendship.' During his stay in Pakistan, the Chinese leader held a number of meetings with the top leadership of the country that also includes a one-on-one meeting with the prime minister in-waiting Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. The two leaders held in depth discussion on matters of mutual interests. Nawaz sought Chinese cooperation in Civil Nuclear Technology to overcome the acute energy crisis that Pakistan is facing today. China has built two nuclear power plants in this country and is contracted for two more reactors. Thus Pakistan cannot find better helping hand than China especially when the country is facing a bloody fight with armed groups, sluggish economic growth, high inflation, a crumbling currency, the threat of balance of payments crisis and crippling electricity outages. Notwithstanding the worst law and order situation in Pakistan, bilateral trade between the two countries has hit a 12-month figure of $12 billion for the first time last year which recorded an increase of 18 per cent as compared to the previous year, and the two sides are committed to raise this to $15 billion in the next two to three years. Apart from that nearly 10,000 Chinese individuals and more than 120 companies are already working in Pakistan, braving the brunt of local violence. Bilateral economic relations have firmly taken roots. Despite several testing times that the relationship between the two countries remained firm. The strategic importance that China attaches to Pakistan can be gauged from the Chinese leadership thought visit to this country necessary even when it is under interim setup.. No doubt, it is welcome move on the part of China, and Pakistan must grab the opportunity with both hands to cash in on by removing the apprehensions that China had in the past. First, Pakistan should ensure provision of safe trade rout to China-of course, the Gwadar Port already contracted to Chinese is a prime interest that Beijing harbors. Through thick and thin, Pakistan must honour its commitment to this effect with an unshakable resolve, and should also uphold the ideology of China, standing guard against religious invasion. In Pakistan too the Chinese premier's visit to India has created some uneasiness amongst diplomatic circles. China and India are two big economies in the region, having bilateral trade worth billions of dollars; their contacts should not be viewed with suspicions rather Pakistan should support China's vision of maintaining harmonious ties with its neighbours. Apart from meetings with President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khoso, the Chinese Prime Minister Keqiang held talks with Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani. The Chinese resolve to deepen strategic ties between China and Pakistan irrespective of the international situation especially emerging from the American pull-out from Afghanistan next year is yet another important step forward in reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two countries. Pakistan is badly exposed to terrorism which is believed to be sponsored by some foreign forces. To a certain extent, the situation emerging from the war on terror has pushed Pakistan to a diplomatic isolation; the strategic collaboration with China at this point in time will help Pakistan fight against militancy with greater success as the two states will have same stance on different international issues. On economic front, the people of Pakistan emulate the success story of China and hope for the same in the country which is only possible if Pakistan develops rock-solid relationship with economic giant like China sitting next door. Pakistan and China have unbreakable ties that should be translated into a joint partnership beneficial for the peoples of the two countries. This visit of Chinese Prime Minister will be crucial in drawing up the economic roadmap for the incoming government in Pakistan. The hallmark is that the visit has rooted the Sino-Pak ties in realm of trust.