Founding chair of Islamabad-based think tank: China is the Most Reliable Friend

Speaking on the collaboration between China and Pakistan across diverse sectors under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and reflecting on the achievements of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) over the past decade, Zamir Awan emphasized that the broad support for and participation in the BRI are attributable to the development model it champions – peace, sharing, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation. Apparently, the initiative’s cooperative approach brings about more opportunities for common development.

As one of BRI’s six economic corridors, CPEC stands out as an early prototype, setting the standard for other economic corridors. According to Awan, the success of CPEC is rooted in its inherent advantage – the longstanding, amicable relations between the two nations. With a solid foundation of traditional friendship and over 70 years of diplomatic ties, China and Pakistan have maintained stable relations. Over the past decade, CPEC has progressed steadily, yielding fruitful outcomes. Recognizing this success, both China and Pakistan have concurred on initiating the second phase of corridor construction, aiming to deepen and broaden cooperation between the two countries.

According to Awan, CPEC has achieved considerable success across diverse sectors in the last decade, playing a pivotal role in advancing connectivity, infrastructure, energy, and economic collaboration between China and Pakistan. CPEC has been instrumental to Pakistan’s socio-economic growth. Notably, the development of infrastructure and energy projects has not only improved transportation throughout Pakistan, but has also reduced logistics costs and time. Awan highlighted the substantial impact on addressing inadequate power supply, saying “there are fewer and fewer power outages, which is a visible change.” This has resulted in tangible benefits to the overall quality of life for Pakistanis.

“Simultaneously, CPEC has generated numerous local job opportunities, catalyzed the growth of special economic zones, cultivated a conducive business environment, attracted increased foreign investment, diversified the local economy, reshaped Pakistan’s economic landscape, and laid the groundwork for sustainable growth”, Awan praised that the corridor, which links the hinterland of Pakistan to the Gwadar port, holds immense benefits for Pakistan from the perspectives of international trade, energy security, and national strategy. Moreover, he emphasized the corridor’s potential as a gateway, connecting landlocked countries in the region to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean through the Gwadar Port. This connectivity in turn offers these nations convenient access to the Middle East, Europe, and Africa through sea trade. CPEC has not only promoted regional connectivity and stability, but also strengthened the bonds between China and Pakistan, Awan concluded, explaining why BRI is hailed as a mutually beneficial platform for cooperation and shared success, characterized by a spirit of collaboration and win-win outcomes.

Awan stated that CPEC is a big plan with lots of projects in areas like industry, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, health, and the environment. Based on what’s achieved so far, both countries should concentrate on bringing in new ideas, improved skills, and more sustainable development as they proceed with Phase-II of the corridor.

The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which took place in Beijing recently, received positive feedbacks from many countries and international organizations. Awan pointed out that this indicates that the BRI has gained widespread endorsement and support from most countries. He viewed the forum as a “family gathering” for Belt and Road countries, a forward-looking and grand event with both symbolic and practical importance given today’s international context

Speaking about China-Pakistan relations, Awan said that from Pakistan’s perspective, China is their most reliable friend, and the two share an “all-weather strategic partnership.” He recalled the past descriptions of the friendship between Pakistan and China as being “higher than mountains, deeper than the sea, and sweeter than honey.” Awan humorously added, “Now our Chinese friends call us Ba Tie (Iron Partner), so we should add ‘harder than steel’ to the description”. Awan emphasized that, regardless of changes in political landscape at home, Pakistan has consistently maintained friendly and cooperative relations with China. In Awan’s view, the traditional friendship between the two is unbreakable.

“The Pakistani leaders’ presence at the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation with a high-level delegation highlights Pakistan’s deep commitment to its friendly and cooperative ties with China,” said Awan, who is confident that the upcoming Phase-II of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would further broaden areas of cooperation, and advance with enhanced quality and swifter pace. Awan believes that the sound bilateral relations will persist, pushing both nations toward a more promising future.