-Says Pakistan eyes instrumental role in bringing US,
China closer to avert cold war like situation
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that Pakistan looking China as role model for development. On areas of future cooperation, he said the emphasis of his government was on geo-economics rather than the earlier geo-strategic concept and thus looked towards China as a role model of development.
He expressed these views during an interview with China Global Television Network that was filmed during his recent trip to Beijing to attend the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics. The interview was aired with Urdu subtitles on Tuesday.
Imran said his priority in Pakistan was the uplift of 220 million people which was also linked with peace and stability.
“I will get my people out of poverty if we have economic well-being, which comes with stability and peace,” he said. “So, if you have conflicts, the first thing that gets affected is the economy and that’s the last thing we want.”
On the impact of Pakistan-China ‘all-weather strategic ties’ on the region, particularly Afghanistan, he said there was a consensus between Pakistan and China on how the two sides could cooperate in bringing stability and prosperity.
He mentioned that no other country than Pakistan had suffered in view of the Afghan conflict for 40 years, adding that for the first time, there was an opportunity of restoring peace in the war-torn country.
He said as Afghanistan faced a humanitarian crisis due to the freezing of foreign aid, Pakistan, China and other European states agreed that “somehow likes and dislikes of the Taliban government should be set aside and the only thing in minds should be the 40 million people of Afghanistan – half of them in a very precarious position of food insecurity”. The prime minister termed as “unique” the relationship between Pakistan and China that had passed through the test of time.
Asked about the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) bringing a direct investment of over $25 billion along with job creation in the past eight years, he said the project was significant for the economy and development of Pakistan.
Imran Khan said the Chinese investment for connectivity and power generation came at a very crucial time in Pakistan when the country faced economic problems following the war against terrorism.
He mentioned that Pakistan suffered immensely while fighting terrorism in the shape of almost 80,000 casualties and over $100 billion loss to the economy.
Also, he said, previous tenures of the “two very corrupt governments also caused the financial crisis”.
“China came in at the most difficult time for us, which is also one of the reasons why there is such a love here for the people of China,” he said.
Khan said CPEC was entering the second stage of investment in industrial zones, information technology, and agriculture.
He said Pakistan, being an agricultural country needed investment and productivity in agriculture, adding that already Memorandum of Understanding had been signed with China.
On areas of future cooperation, he said the emphasis of his government was on geo-economics rather than the earlier geo-strategic concept and thus looked towards China as a role model of development.
He said Pakistan’s almost over 20 percent population lived below the poverty line, adding that the Chinese model of poverty alleviation through wealth creation was an inspiration to be followed.
On Chinese cooperation during Covid-19, the prime minister said China helped Pakistan soon after the breakout of the virus by providing assistance and vaccines.
“We learned a lot from China because as the pandemic spread, we immediately had very close contacts,” he said.
About relationship-s with China and the US, PM said “We have a good relationship with the US and also an iron-brother relationship with China. We want to play the role of 1970 when Pakistan was instrumental in getting the United States and China together,” he said.
The prime minister was referring to the historic breakthrough in China-US relations in 1971 which was made possible due to the pivotal role played by Pakistan, which also enjoyed the trust of both countries.
“The famous visit of Henry Kissinger [the US State Secretary] was organised by Pakistan, so we hope to play that [same] role,” he said.
To a question, if Pakistan could face challenges due to rising tension between China and US, he said the world did not need another Cold War between the two powers.
“The world should not go through the situation where it is divided into two camps and it does not benefit anyone,” he said. “I hope that this does not escalate into another Cold War where we have to choose sides.”
Imran Khan wished the people of China a Happy lunar Chinese new year of Tiger, terming it his favourite animal, and extended wishes for peace and prosperity.
–The Daily Mail-CGTN news exchange item
