ISLAMABAD, NOV 3 /DNA/ – Regional stability is fundamental to the future of the Pakistan-China partnership, emphasized the leading Chinese and Pakistani scholars and expertsduring a high-level roundtable discussion hosted by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS). The dialogue focused on navigating complex geopolitical challenges while strengthening bilateral cooperation through practical initiatives.
Dr. Zhang Jiegen, Director of the Pakistan Study Center at Fudan University, set the tone for discussions by highlighting how divisive propaganda undermines the brotherly ties between the two nations. He stressed the critical need for evidence-based dialogue to address evolving regional dynamics and strengthen the strategic partnership.
A former Pakistani diplomat identified India’s role in Afghanistan as a strategic gambit to contain Pakistani and Chinese influence, arguing that the Kabul-New Delhi alliance has created a palpable sense of encirclement for Pakistan, worsening its security via proxy forces. He urged a fundamental policy reset, replacing outdated narratives with a clear-eyed, transactional approach. The path forward, he suggested, lies in leveraging mutual needs: Afghanistan’s quest for sea and market access in exchange for Pakistan’s requirement of stability and land corridors to Central Asia.
A central theme was the urgent need for Pakistan to address its internal policymaking and security challenges. A senior security expert identified a systemic failure where institutional strategy is replaced by individual discretion, leading to an absence of a coherent national policy. This was echoed by an economic expert who highlighted the over-reliance on government-to-government interactions with international partners, which fails to build broad-based societal support.
He stressed that initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will only succeed if the Pakistani public sees tangible benefits, such as job creation and local investment. He noted that the moment people see young Pakistanis getting jobs, their mindsets will begin to change.
He also stated that while partners like Saudi Arabia are willing to invest, they remain concerned about risk mitigation. He proposed trilateral corridors involving China, Pakistan, and Gulf nations, urging China to adopt a more proactive strategy based on data and realism to enhance the region’s investment appeal.
Participants unanimously called for China to play a more active role in de-risking the regional environment to attract crucial private investment and enhance economic connectivity.
The roundtable concluded that the enduring Pakistan-China partnership must evolve to meet new challenges. By focusing on people-centric development, strengthening institutional policymaking, and adopting a joint strategy to enhance regional stability, both nations can ensure their strategic cooperation continues to thrive.
