China, Pakistan worry about security of $60 billion CPEC after Taliban re-emerge in Afghanistan
China and Pakistan – after initial excitement over the Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan – have an immediate challenge: the security of the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). And for this Beijing is mainly dependent on Pakistan.
But when the Taliban freed all 4000 Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters who were responsible for numerous killings of civilians and security forces since 2007, apart from the horrific attack on the Peshawar Army Public School, In which 130 school children and staff members were killed, it is a matter of concern. Moved to Islamabad.
According to the Global Times, analysts have warned that “the unrest in Afghanistan could provide a hub for terrorists targeting China’s interests in Xinjiang and abroad, including CPEC projects,” where China and China have to deal with potential threats. There is a need for better communication and coordination between Pakistan.
At a time when China was looking forward to further expansion of the CPEC into Afghanistan, the challenges for Pakistan have increased. The expansion of CPEC will depend on how stable Afghanistan is under Taliban rule. “The more likely outcome, however, is renewed instability that could threaten Chinese investments in Pakistan under the CPEC,” Elizabeth Threlkeld, senior fellow and deputy director of the South Asia program at the Stimson Center, told The Diplomat in an interview.
On 20 August, two Pakistani children were killed in a bomb blast in Balochistan’s Gwadar area, but the Chinese were targeted. In July, at least 13 people, including nine Chinese nationals, were killed when a bomb exploded inside a bus near the Dasu Hydroelectric Project. Earlier, China and Pakistan were stunned by the bomb blast at an upmarket hotel in Quetta. Reports suggested that the attack was targeted at the Chinese ambassador, who was in the city at the time.
Read also | Afghanistan crisis: Al Qaeda joins Taliban in attack on Panjshir Valley
While several reports have suggested that Chinese investment in CPEC projects is slowing, Chinese officials have denied any deviation from the plan.
“China’s investment in CPEC projects has slowed down over the past few months,” Shakti Sinha, Honorary Sakthi Sinha, Director Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Policy Research and International Studies, MS University, told India Narrative. Sinha said a Successful CPEC will require the participation of Afghanistan.
Urdu Point, a Pakistan-based Urdu news website said that Pakistan is concerned that Afghanistan could become a source of cross-border terrorism since the fall of Kabul for the Taliban, including those against the CPEC project.
According to the website, Sahar Kamran, a member of Pakistan’s Senate Forum for Policy Research, told Sputnik that “Pakistan has a lot at stake, especially with regard to the CPEC.”
China has also expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of the project. Indeed, the sudden and swift dismissal of Lt Gen (Retd) Asim Salim Bajwa, who was heading the CPEC project due to lack of transparency and corruption, raised eyebrows among many.
However, analysts said that the CPEC, described by the jewel in the crown, is a project linked not only to Chinese ambition but also of prestige and Beijing will not abandon it.
TCA Raghavan, former ambassador to Pakistan, said, “There is no way to suggest that China attaches importance to the CPEC, is in any way undermined… I don’t think the CPEC will be affected in any way.” An extremely important” for Beijing.
Read also | US military equipment left in Afghanistan seen in Iran: report
.