The China-Pakistan bonhomie has, on many occasions, been an irritant for Bharat. China has been notorious for blocking the designating of several terrorists who India wants. While Beijing finally did relent and okayed the designating of Masood Azhar of the Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hafiz Saeed of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, there was still a delay, and this was largely due to the close relations that Islamabad and China shared. China and Pakistan have very often called each other all-weather friends.
However, that bonhomie has begun to wane. A big turning point was when two Chinese nationals were killed and two of their engineers were injured in a blast that took place in Karachi. The bombing was claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army and this was the latest in the number of attacks on the interests of China in Pakistan.
The friction point between the two nations is that China wants to bring its own security to protect its interests in Pakistan. The Chinese investments have been under attack since 2016, and Beijing has now said that enough is enough. Beijing is said to have sent a formal letter to Islamabad asking it to allow the sending of security agencies and military forces into each other’s territory to assist in counterterrorism missions and conduct joint strikes.
While Pakistan is okay with setting up a joint management system where Chinese officials can attend security meetings, it is averse to the idea of having Chinese security and military forces on its soil. Islamabad is also okay with Beijing helping them better Intelligence capabilities but is not alright with any direct involvement.
China seems to be fed up
China has made it clear to Pakistan that it ought to be placated. The Chinese have every reason to make such a request or demand since its investments face an immense threat from the terrorists which Pakistan has groomed, nurtured and protected. This year itself has seen two major attacks on the Chinese. While the one in Karachi took place in October, the other was in March and the incident occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In the March attack, which was carried out by the Tehreek-e-Taliban, Pakistan, five Chinese nationals were killed while they were working on the Dasu Dam project.
Following the attack at the Dasu dam, China made a blunt statement and said that it wanted a thorough probe into the incident. The Chinese embassy said that the perpetrators of the crime should be punished, and all measures should be taken to protect the Chinese people, institutions and projects. China also said that Pakistan should be vigilant, give more attention to security, and take measures to protect the interests of the Chinese.
While there have been many more attacks in the past, the one in Karachi was the last straw for the Chinese. The problem for the Chinese and their investments stemmed from Balochistan. Islamabad has used its might in the province but has failed on every count. In Balochistan, the Pakistanis are not trusted. The people there have blamed the establishment for forcibly taking away their land and robbing the province of its resources, such as natural gas and mineral deposits. The people say that it is the Pakistan Army who is to blame for robbing them of their coal, chromite, barytes, marble, iron ore, uranium, sulphur and limestone. They accuse the establishment of robbing them of their land and natural resources, and when it comes to giving back, Pakistan has done absolutely nothing. The infrastructure is poor, and electricity still remains a major concern in a province that is so rich in minerals.
All these factors have eroded the trust, and the people of Balochistan do not back the establishment; hence, they have gone out of the control of Islamabad.
CPEC is the target
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the flagship programme of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). A majority of this passes through Balochistan and the main aim is to bring in development. However, the people of Balochistan do not trust the project and say that they are being exploited in the name of the CPEC.
Thousands have been displaced and not been compensated. The fact that none of the locals have benefited in terms of employment either has only added to the woes and they believe that this project is only meant to benefit the elites in Pakistan and China.
This has resulted in a number of attacks on the project and other Chinese interests. In 21, the Chinese consulate in Karachi was attacked. In 2020, the Pakistan Stock Exchange, where the Chinese have major investments, came under attack. Three Chinese teachers were killed in a suicide bombing at Karachi University in 2022. Six Chinese mobile towers were set on fire in 2023.
All this has slowed down the progress of the Chinese projects, and Beijing is not amused. Beijing, which has remained largely silent for some time, has, however, been reacting. Its ambassador in Islamabad complained that Pakistan had destroyed the CPEC.
China says enough is enough
All these attacks have led to the Chinese saying that enough is enough. It would not stop the projects as it has invested hugely. However, Beijing will up its ante and seek a pound of flesh from Pakistan.
There is a major trust deficit now that the Chinese have seen many bodies of its workers being taken back home. China is enhancing the pressure on Islamabad to launch a full-fledged counterinsurgency operation in Balochistan. Beijing is even considering devaluing the bilateral ties with Pakistan.
The fact that the bilateral ties are being devalued could be seen when Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited China. Pakistan is no longer being mentioned as a high-priority country for China. In all previous joint statements, China did describe Pakistan as a high-priority country.
Pakistan had also planned on getting the Chinese to extend the CEC to Afghanistan in a bid to have control over that nation. However, this proposal, which was discussed in 2023, is no longer on the talks table.
Pakistan finds itself in a mess like never before. It has a debt of around 30 billion dollars and hence has no option but to tread China’s path. The other fact is that it does not have the money to repay the Chinese. On the other hand, it does not want to launch a major offensive in Balochistan, and neither does it want CPEC to be guarded by the Chinese forces. In all a catch-22 situation for both the countries.
