Opinion Chinese cheers

During Wen’s three-day visit,Pakistan and China signed 35 new pacts,expected to bring in $30 billion of investment to Pakistan over the next five years… However,in the Daily Times view,“the fresh trade deals with Pakistan were dwarfed by those signed on Wen’s trip to India,where he and his 400-strong delegation signed deals to double trade to $100 billion a year by 2015.”

Pakistan’s richest province in terms of natural resources,Balochistan,was offered to China for exploration by its chief minister,Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani. Daily Times reported that Raisani said China could play a remarkable role in mines and minerals-related work in Balochistan. He also lauded Chinese help in developing the strategically important Gwadar port,and “hoped for its expansion by China.”

Newspapers also quoted various politicians heaping praise on Wen. The News quoted foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi: “The US or any other power is not in a position to create hurdles in Pak-China ties as the two countries enjoy deep,old and brotherly relations.” He also emphasised that China’s position is “clear about Kashmir.” The leader of the opposition in the National Assembly,Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan,reportedly told Wen that the government and opposition “may have differences,but when it comes to the issue of Sino-Pak friendship,they stand united.”

Winds of change

This is a season of changing political equations in Pakistan. Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s party,the JUI-F,quit the federal government after two of its legislators were fired by the PPP leadership is an aftermath of the Haj scam. The PPP’s other ally,the MQM,is miffed because of Sindh Home Minister and PPP stalwart Zulfiqar Mirza’s insinuation that the MQM was behind the spate of target killings in Karachi.

The two “hurt” parties came together,reported Daily Times on December 21: “an MQM delegation met (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman at his residence in Islamabad and agreed to continue strengthening their contacts in the future… the two said they shared a common viewpoint on many issues,adding that the PPP-led government was not addressing the concerns of its allies.”

JUI-F applied for seats on the opposition benches in parliament,reported Daily Times on December 21. The News reported on December 21 that after separate meetings with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and President Zardari,the MQM was assured that their concerns vis-a-vis the Sindh home minister’s remarks would be addressed. Meanwhile,PMLQ and JUI-F were reportedly contemplating joining forces to “change” the CM of Balochistan. The current CM is from the PPP.

Zardari calling Sharif

With two major allies annoyed,the PPP looks shaky,especially at a time when parliament is in session and a controversial bill is coming up for discussion. Zardari,once again,reached out to Nawaz Sharif,reported Dawn on December 20: “Amid political uncertainty in the country,President Asif Zardari… extended an olive branch to PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif,seeking his cooperation for getting the controversial Reformed General Sales Tax approved from the National Assembly and addressing some other important issues,including promulgation of a new accountability bill,threats to democracy and political instability.”

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