It seems that China is slowly, but surely, destabilising Pakistan’s Sovereignty, Politically, as well as Strategically! Pakistan, which openly treats China as its All-weather Friend, used to consider that the Asian Giant’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project would boost its economy. On the contrary, the Mega Project is not only making the South Asian country debt-trapped, but also is prompting it to compromise with its own existence.

The Eurasian Times has reported that Beijing initially rejected Islamabad’s request to fund the USD 6.1 billion Main Line-1 (ML-1) Railway Project as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project at 1% interest rate. After re-negotiations, China agreed to finance the same, while the fact that Pakistan’s financial state was not in a good shape was clearly exposed. In other words, it would be easier for the persons – sitting at the helm of power in Beijing – to dictate their terms and conditions, as far as political, economic and strategic issues are concerned.

Although Beijing has assured Islamabad that everything is on track and both countries are implementing the CPEC project in a fast pace, just 32 out of a total of 122 projects under the CPEC have made progress so far. Experts are of the opinion that the CPEC project actually helps China exploit Pakistan, economically and strategically. Islamabad had already accepted the condition laid by Beijing that only the Chinese companies, equipment and entities would be involved in these projects…

The Institute of Policy Reforms (IPR), a Think-Tank affiliated to the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Party, has claimed that the nation is in a debt-trap, stating that the Government of Imran Khan failed to implement Economic Reform Programmes. Pakistan badly needs reforms in order to boost its economy. Moreover, fiscal restraint has also prompted the Government to compromise with National Security! As expected, China is taking full advantage of the situation, and trying to influence the regional geopolitics in South Asia by destabilising Pakistan further. India and the US have already expressed serious concern over the situation.

In its latest report, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has mentioned that Pakistan’s debt (to GDP ratio) has touched 107% of the GDP, while the Gross Public Debt has jumped from 72% of the GDP at USD 95 billion in 2018 to 87% at USD 112.8 billion in 2020. Meanwhile, the total external debts and liabilities have increased from 33% of the GDP in 2018 to 45% in 2020.

Amidst such a scenario, Pakistan cannot afford to make any political blunder. In the past, the country lost both political and financial assistance, after trying to dictate terms to the Arab nations. To pay Saudi Arabia back, Pakistan had to accept a loan of USD 2 billion from China. This particular move, in all probability, has encouraged China to grab the opportunity and to create troubles for Pakistan through its infamous debt-diplomacy. The US’ decision to maintain a distance from Pakistan and Afghanistan, too, has allowed China to make an attempt to stamp its authority in the region.

It may be noted that Congo, Cameroon, Angola, Ethiopia, Zambia, Laos, Sri Lanka and many other countries had to pay a heavy price for inviting investments from China in the past!

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Published by Koushik Das

Koushik Das (born on May 16, 1976 in Kolkata) is a career journalist. Based in the Indian capital of New Delhi, Koushik writes mainly about foreign policies and current geopolitical issues, and rarely about other topics. His own political ideas are highly influenced by Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser, Michel Foucault, Michael Oakeshott and others. English philosopher and political theorist Oakeshott (Dec 11, 1901-Dec 19, 1990) says that “in political activity, men sail a boundless and bottomless sea. There is neither harbour for shelter nor floor for anchorage, neither starting-place, nor appointed destination. But we have to keep afloat”. (Rationalism in Politics, 1962) As a student of Political Science, Koushik loves to share his views on issues, which have great impacts on his thought process (and also on India, South Asia and of course on the global community), with his readers through his website – Boundless Ocean of Politics. By doing so, he tries to keep himself afloat. You will find some of his articles in https://inserbia.info/today/ (https://inserbia.info/today/author/kou_das13_i/), as he has been trying to assess the global geopolitics since 2003. You can also mail him at kousdas@gmail.com View all posts by Koushik Das