Says Afghanistan is Hurdle in Pak Trade with Neighbors – Military can Share Input to Gov – China’s Rise is not Threat but Share in Development – Forms Think Tank
Pictures : Raja Fareed
(On July 12, 2023, the Fifth Meeting of the Advisory Council of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (hereinafter referred to as “the Advisory Council”) was held in Beijing. Convenor of the Advisory Council and Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu chaired the meeting.)
To some questions from Editor “Pakistan in the World” Mr. Tazeen Akhtar on Pakistan’s regional trade with neighbors and potential as connecting hub, Mr. Kakar replied that how Pakistan can trade with regional countries when the main connecting route Afghanistan is not available.
He said, Due to present state of affairs in Afghanistan, not only Pakistan but Central Asian Republics also unable to trade with Pakistan and India. He referred to Trilateral Train project of Uzbekistan as facing hurdles because of Afghanistan. He also gave example of TAPI project of Turkmenistan in this regard.
He said Pakistan does not have any issue in trade with Iran. Here we find the transit to Turkiye as well. Pakistan is ready and can trade with all neighboring countries but the critics should also see what are the situations in those countries and who have to pave the way for regional trade. It is common responsibility as well as common interest.
He said that Afghanistan should understand that trade in the region is not only in Pakistan’s interest but it is beneficial for them also. As for China, we have trade but with a big trade deficit. Lets lessen this deficit first. The trade balance with China only can increase our international regional trade to new heights. He meant that lets increase our production, decrease our deficits and then focus on enhancing the trade with neighbors.
Mr. Kakar appreciated China for satisfying the partners not to be afraid of China’s rise. He said China assured other countries that our rise is for sharing the development and no one should take it as a threat.
To other questions, former Caretaker PM noted that there is no problem to get feedback or input from military institutions as they have their own information and expertise and they are Pakistani.
He welcomed the dialogue between Gov and PTI and noted that the dialogue is important whatever the results are. The parties should continue such engagements and the same is the only way forward.
Mr. Kakar is in favor of Economic Dialogue in Pakistan. He said Pakistan has great potential and still we have many untapped areas that can be addressed properly to give boost to the economy that is improving but a lot more is to be done for economic stability. He emphasizes on value addition to enlarge the size of the economy.
On a question about the deprivation and unemployment in Balochistan and benefits of CPEC, he responded the problems are not only in one province. They exist in other provinces including Lahore and Karachi as well. But it does not mean that one has the right to kill the others.
Unemployment is there in USA and other developed countries as well. The insurgency is not for unemployment, it is from some international forces that can not see a stable and developing Pakistan and can not bear with construction of CPEC that will connect Pakistan with the World.
