PM’s China visit
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WHEN Prime Minister Imran Khan chose to travel to China over staying in Pakistan as mobs and violent protesters took to the streets across this country, PTI officials defending the foreign trip amidst domestic chaos argued that the economy was in dire straits and urgent assistance was needed. The implication was that Prime Minister Khan was required to go to China to secure quick money, loans, assistance and investments to shore up the Pakistani economy and state finances.
It is a norm in diplomacy that high-level meetings take place after the details are already agreed to by other officials, the top government functionaries meeting to sign accords in a ceremonial manner.
But Mr Khan was already in China for several days when on Saturday, a senior Chinese official, Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou, made a remarkable statement. Pledging that China has in principle decided to help Pakistan tide over its current economic difficulties, Mr Kong added: “As for the specific measures to be taken, the relevant authorities of the two sides will have detailed discussions.”
On Sunday, a joint statement marking the formal end of Prime Minister Khan’s trip to China appeared to confirm what was stated a day before by Vice Foreign Minister Kong.
In the joint statement, there is no assistance package announced, just boilerplate diplomatic language reaffirming the deep strategic ties between China and Pakistan.
At least two points need to be made here. First, if a formal assistance package had not been already agreed to, what was the urgency for Mr Khan to leave Pakistan in the midst of a national crisis?
Surely, Mr Khan was not going to negotiate in person with senior Chinese officials — the Chinese officials have themselves pointed to detailed negotiations needing to take place between the relevant authorities of the countries.
Second, and more importantly, given that it is an ongoing issue, why have the “detailed discussions” yet to take place? It is possible that China is driving a hard bargain, but that would not be unexpected.
However, did the Pakistani side prepare for hard negotiations? Or have the PTI government’s economic managers once again shown their inexperience and expected that a rescue package will be assembled because of Pakistan’s geopolitical importance or perhaps Prime Minister Khan’s political standing?
As Mr Khan comes home empty-handed, he will return to a country recovering from days of protests and yet another state capitulation to violent religious extremists.
The challenges are increasing, but the government’s capacity to address these challenges does not appear to be increasing quickly enough. The three-month mark for Prime Minister Khan and his PTI government are fast approaching.
Mr Khan was right in demanding time to adjust to the responsibilities of high office. But the country needs the PTI to learn faster than it appears capable or willing to.
Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2018
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Comments (97) Closed
Nov 05, 2018 07:22am
While the Saudis still have maharaja culture, and are happy flaunting their generosity, same cannot be expected of other countries. Also i guess, Saudis know how to extract a bargain at any time in the future.
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Nov 05, 2018 07:40am
Chinese are still wary of Imran Khan. They would like to be doubly sure on his commitment to CPEC. The impact is already felt, Imran now is speaking the same language as Nawaz as far as CPEC goes. Never a good idea for the recipient to be more anxious than the donor.
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Nov 05, 2018 08:06am
Imran just talk whatever he want without knowing that whether it is true or not. Too much talk while there are no plans neither any positive work. U-turns & U-turns.
His government is hoping China, Turkey will help Pakistan from FATF blacklist, the casual way his government is handling FATF requirements. They may not help them and even if they help they will ask for their pound of flesh.
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Nov 05, 2018 08:14am
India from the beginning warned the countries who joins BRI of possible debt trap including Pakistan.
Now when the debt is piling up China will not help.
With IMF loans China gets its debt back with the interest.
China is the master of debt diplomacy. What an excellent strategy from China wow...
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Nov 05, 2018 08:15am
The China trip may or may not have been fruitful, but two things which have come to the forefront are; One he needs a full-time interior minister who should be delegated with full power and responsibility. Second he needs to revamp his economic/finance team , both at the institutional level and ministerial level, where professionals should be inducted instead of the present makeshift arrangement.
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Nov 05, 2018 08:23am
One Bad news after another for Mr. Niazi (IK).
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Nov 05, 2018 08:30am
Hope Mr. Khan has realized that making outrageous statements or accusing opponents is easier than producing results even with the backing of the establishment.
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Nov 05, 2018 08:45am
Respected Sir, you always seem to have a balanced view on every issue....Mark of a great editor.....
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Nov 05, 2018 08:47am
China does his business on a calculated and sound basis, as advised by their own financial managers. How could one expect that China will give more money to a nation that is finding it difficult to pay them back their own money?
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Nov 05, 2018 09:31am
So why indeed did he go to China when the country needed him to lead. Mr. Khan needs to get his act together.
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Nov 05, 2018 09:35am
PTI government will take years and years....
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Nov 05, 2018 09:39am
Imran Khan is only interested in keeping his image perfect.
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Nov 05, 2018 09:45am
I have been living in China since 2015. i know closely Chinese and their culture. "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch".
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Nov 05, 2018 09:48am
Managing a country or nation and managing few gangs are two different things. Too much difference .
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Nov 05, 2018 09:50am
Well said PM Khan needs to act faster than him and his ruling party is approaching 100 days mark being installed in power. How much PM Khan knows the internal and external issues plaguing Pakistan is dependent upon how flexible or how rigid he is in his approach to bend to demanding challenges the country and his government is facing.
No political government ever in Pakistan has been able to negotiate well with Internal&External pressures per se. The need of the hour is very complexed and though it may appear to be in good hands of handful of experts who are in the ranks of PM Khan’s Government.It is apparently the same game that has always been played by the same players since the first ever political Goverment failed to come clean with rule of governance under Khawaja Nazimuddin and so on so forth.
The fact is a person like me can easily see how perplexing the situation is for PM Khan. The economic chaos’s and the political deliberations that awaits PM Khan’s on return from China.
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Nov 05, 2018 09:59am
About two months is too long?
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Nov 05, 2018 10:02am
People need to be reminded that Chinese helping hand is always invisible and unlike US & Saudis they hate to show off at media.
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Nov 05, 2018 10:09am
Evidently the iron brother is in no mood to give billions of dollars in charity. It wants solid assurances and even more concessions in return. Higher than Himalayas, Deeper than oceans, Sweeter than honey indeed.
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Nov 05, 2018 10:39am
There is an implication in the editorial that somehow IK mismanaged the whole situation and if the previous experienced government was in power somehow they would have been able to mange this better and control the home situation as well. There are too many and very high expectations from one man. He is the leader of a very corrupt society which has been criminalized by corrupt mafia in the last 10 years. Nobody or very few people are honest in Pakistan (as the system of deterrence does not work) and it will take at least 20 years to get the country back on track. Also do not forget that beggars are not choosers. China will strike a hard bargain and it will need careful negotiations which will take time. Strategic value of this tour con not be underestimated though. We need to support IK if we think that he is honest and means well. It will take him time to learn the tricks of governance.
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Nov 05, 2018 10:45am
Eventually the present government will leave the accumulated problems and challenges to the next government. It could be almost five years from now or earlier, but isn't that always happening? So what is the issue in that case?
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Nov 05, 2018 10:45am
It is time for Pakistan Government to impose appropriate currency exchange controls. And also, say, a 20% tax on all imports.
Then the government will have money for Economic Development.
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Nov 05, 2018 10:57am
Circumstances will force PM Khan to become a politician than a leader.
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Nov 05, 2018 11:07am
Now imran is facing real politics not container top politics
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Nov 05, 2018 11:26am
Continuous u-turns..shows lacks of planning and solutions.
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Nov 05, 2018 11:28am
@Zak,
On this I fully agree with Mr. Zak that IK had made outrageous statements running up to the elections, including CPEC, relations with India, etc. India knowing Pakistani mindset might ignore his comments, but China would not, as there is already much criticism about CPEC by many influential countries and IK's declaration of renegotiation not only creates doubts about its success inside, which also give ammunition to the detractors. China studies everything, including little nuances, and keep that in mind while dealing with others. IK want to upstage others, but without proper preparations. He is a novice and should surround himself with experts in diplomacy, economy, security, etc. Hope, Pakistan will come out of its economic problems, as it is a must for peace in the region. If he antagonize China, then it is the end of him and the nation.
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Nov 05, 2018 11:43am
As for the specific measures to be taken, the relevant authorities of the two sides will have detailed discussions. --- Isn't that just about the same thing the IMF is doing? One man may make the decisions in Pakistan but one man does not make the decisions in China.
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Nov 05, 2018 12:29pm
@mohsin, IK is a great cricketer. Hi tossed up a coin on critical matters. Heads he goes to China ..as simple as that
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Nov 05, 2018 01:11pm
@Masterstroke, You guys have a mindset of defaming Pakistan at all forums There are huge positive aspects of CPEC and both Pakistan and China are thankful to each other for mutual benefits.
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Nov 05, 2018 01:17pm
Such visits and appoints are planned weeks in advance. I am surprised
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Nov 05, 2018 01:21pm
@rsutam, "People need to be reminded that Chinese helping hand is always invisible and unlike US & Saudis they hate to show off at media." It is invisible because they teach how to fish, you can see the fish only when YOU grab it.
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Nov 05, 2018 01:26pm
@Masterstroke, come on....it does not take a genius to understand Countries like China and US have an upper hand when negotiating deals, key is to agree on acceptable terms.
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Nov 05, 2018 01:27pm
@Zak, welcome to politics!!
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Nov 05, 2018 01:30pm
@mohsin, well he is back now.... don’t forget he has 200+ million people to satisfy !
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Nov 05, 2018 01:50pm
@Ikram, So you are having a manager who is going to learn at your time and cost? Even a grocery store need a person with experience and you have handed over a country to a layman. If honestly was the whole criteria, then why not handed over to Mr. Sirajul Haque of JI who was also an applicant for Panama Papers?
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Nov 05, 2018 01:52pm
The CPEC is so obviously in Pakistan's favour that making it controversial in any way is definitely not a good idea.
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Nov 05, 2018 02:59pm
@Zak, also those accusations/statements has dented the reputation of Pakistan
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Nov 05, 2018 03:09pm
I fail to understand what is there to blame IK? If China hasn't announced any bailout cushion what wrong IK has done in this regard? Why are we so pessimistic and jump to conclusions of our own whims?
When he bagged 6 billion dollars from Saudi Arab, the so called critics said how could Saudi Arab grant us such a big cushion without conditions.
We must realize that he is burning the candles at both ends to get the country out of this economic crunch. We also must be sure that not a single penny loaned from around shall go to the personal kitty of anybody in the government. Isn't this a big difference? Try to be fair and look at those who fleeced us in the last two regimes. China is our friend but they are too rigid and mechanical when it comes to business. Above all China will have to stand by us in its own interest.
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Nov 05, 2018 04:14pm
Wow just the look on the Chinese President says it all. Like oh man I’m so bored. What is he doing here. Again!
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Nov 05, 2018 04:14pm
@Zak, Very well said.
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Nov 05, 2018 04:27pm
Managing a few hospitals, political protests rallies ia diff from Governing a country
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Nov 05, 2018 04:39pm
As long as it takes. Any other silly questions?
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Nov 05, 2018 05:04pm
we have no hurry. they should take their time as for as the intentions are good.
the frustration is not that they are slow but because they have bad intentions and doing corruption.
I Finger Crossed and relaxed at my end I will keep my trust for the next 4.5 years.
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Nov 05, 2018 05:30pm
HopefullyMr. Khan is learning
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Nov 05, 2018 05:56pm
@Aravind, as does any government, including your own.
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Nov 05, 2018 05:58pm
Imran Khan is turning out to be a disappointment. Two most recent failures: capitulation in front of street thugs after warning them from the comfort of PTV studio, and failure to get money from China after promising ‘good news’. Edhi was the best social worker in the country, who was incapable of governing it even if we put him on the throne. IK was one of the best cricketers and a very good social worker. That doesn’t mean he can run the country any better than the ones he has replaced. 80-90 days have not brought forth anything new from him. He has been doing what any mediocre would have done anyway
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Nov 05, 2018 05:58pm
@Aravind, you are keeping Modi clean, despite his role in the Gujarat riots, that conveniently killed Muslims.
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Nov 05, 2018 05:59pm
Nice editorial.
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Nov 05, 2018 05:59pm
@Aimal, America is running on chinese money.
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Nov 05, 2018 06:00pm
To the point editorial.
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Nov 05, 2018 06:02pm
The challenges of a nations never end he should pray that he may keep solving old and present challenges as new challenges arise.
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Nov 05, 2018 06:03pm
@Vineeth, you mean like Indian help for Afghanistan and Iran.
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Nov 05, 2018 06:06pm
@Vikas, good joke.
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Nov 05, 2018 06:13pm
A timely blunt Editorial reminding Mr.Imran Khan to get serious.There is no room for emotionalism or sensationalism anymore.I liked the Editorial's expression while staying on the subject,"In a joint statement,there is
no assistance package announced,just boilerplate diplomatic language".Well said.The right place now would be
the Parliament to review Pakistan-China relations.
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Nov 05, 2018 06:33pm
I think China very much would like PM Khan to better address the law and order situation going on in the past few days before committing to an economic package...
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Nov 05, 2018 06:46pm
Looking for help wont help Pakistan cause. We need to cut our expenses and reduce imports. Even ban non essential imports so our own industry can start. Without these steps, no amount of aid or grants can take Pakistan out of trouble.
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Nov 05, 2018 07:02pm
@Be honest, You care to mention some of those 'positive aspects' of CPEC for the great unwashed?
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Nov 05, 2018 07:25pm
@Pervaiz Ahmed, ...agreed ....its preposterous that anyone should expect results faster than what imran is doing ..... he is addressing the issues correctly ....going to china was a must and he braved up to it ....IK is the man for pak .....cant see anyone better ,,,,second choice would be bring in the military ...... civil life pays a price but you get stability in return and they know how to handle china , i respect pak military management ability ....whats so wrong with military management for pak ? nation needs to be realistic about things ....cant get clean civilian management the army is there , why waste them ?
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Nov 05, 2018 08:22pm
@Be honest, CPEC is good only if implemented properly and not like Lankan case.
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Nov 05, 2018 08:36pm
It is you editorial section I read down regularily
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Nov 05, 2018 09:11pm
Dear Mr. PM, you are definitely a good man but something is not right. The messages coming from your ministers are confusing and contradictory. There is still time to take corrective action.
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Nov 05, 2018 09:15pm
@Ash2000, IK needs to visit West and USA to make sure that these Governments are aware of the steps he has taken to solve the economic conundrum Pakistan. Just visiting friendly countries won't help.
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Nov 05, 2018 09:16pm
@Zak, Bingo. He doesn't need to comment on every situation.
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Nov 05, 2018 09:17pm
@Fahad Ali, There is no such thing as Free Lunch in any culture including our culture.
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Nov 05, 2018 09:42pm
@rsutam, "Chinese helping hand is always invisible." seems only you are able to see those invisible helping hands, please give some example from past.
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Nov 05, 2018 09:53pm
It is unfortunate that, PM Imran Khan has shown his complete lack of statesmanship by putting the cart before the horse. He should have gone with complete homework,
fully prepared to get what he wanted. He should have kept in mind, how he treated and barricaded Chinese President's visit to Pakistan in 2014, to sign CPEC agreements.
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Nov 06, 2018 12:51am
Are you expecting decades of misrule by PPP and Nawaz to be cleared in 100 days ????
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Nov 06, 2018 01:10am
This trip was a great success why? Because it should make the nation realise there is no such thing as free lunches. Ik will also realise that the only person that will help Pakistan is him in terms of taking tough and unpopular decisions. He has no choice but to increase taxes on everything. It will be a slow process and he will gain popularity eventually. Also the Chinese cpec deals need reviewing don’t back down ik
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Nov 06, 2018 01:26am
What political standing?
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Nov 06, 2018 01:26am
The following words from Dawn's editorial are quite significant:
...there is no assistance package announced, just boilerplate diplomatic language reaffirming the deep strategic ties between China and Pakistan.
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Nov 06, 2018 01:31am
A cold handshake.
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Nov 06, 2018 01:37am
@Fahad Ali, i have a different view: Chinese indeed could generous, but first you have to earn respect. If they respect you they also treat you on equal term. They would decide according to your influence upon them.
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Nov 06, 2018 01:57am
There are to many fanfare about CPEC. CPEC has no future without India. If it should be a sucess story, Pakistan and China both have to improve their relationship with India. By the way to whom China want to sale its products? Only India presents a big market because of its masses. Pakistani market is not big enough, African countries cant afford Chinese goods, Middleeast coutries prefers European and American goods, because they are rich and can buy expensive and luxury goods from any where.
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Nov 06, 2018 02:02am
IK got what he wanted but not all is for public consumption.
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Nov 06, 2018 02:09am
What is wrong with some of us Pakistanis that while our PM is visiting China we are trying to prove that he is weak and have no experience!
I did not vote for IK but I will next time for I have not seen in him crookedness what Nawaz Sharif and Shabaz Shrief have. I have seen that this man will do best for us all.
Last but not least that our dawn comments are read around the globe so we can write half decent lines. No man from his mother’s womb is born to be PM. All learn on the job as they go. Respectfully
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Nov 06, 2018 03:08am
Reality check, nawaz looted the pak funds, PM IK ,trying to get loans, from friendly country to build pak funds up so,business , of running of the country continues! The protest was sponsored by the anti cpec actors !,so, this analysis , failed to impressed!
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Nov 06, 2018 03:36am
Ik thank the Chinese for the welcoming reception and return back quickly.
China is a friend and don’t take advantage of it generosity return it all back. Cpec shud be put on hold until we can raise and finance the projects ourselves. Revenues should be raised from general workibg population, imports, services etc. Review all foreign projects and see what benefits they are bringing to Pakistan. Pakistan must come first from now on. Don’t sell us out.
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Nov 06, 2018 03:43am
IK's problem is that he is an agitation politician, devoid of any admin skill or experience. 'Container politics' is one thing, and running a failing state is another thing!
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Nov 06, 2018 03:46am
You just know how to criticize while sitting in your comfortable couch! You were sleeping when other govt were ruling. Now you are counting days and wanna see magic results. Strange standards
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Nov 06, 2018 05:24am
@Vineeth, why indians are so worried about our well being?
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Nov 06, 2018 07:18am
@Aravind, getting to roots and cleaning 70 yrs mess does take long and a collective nation effort. Not a one man show
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Nov 06, 2018 07:38am
First visit to Saudi : was not well thought and planned: Same mistake seems to repeat : definitely their is mis Management issues: Why Malaysia was pre maturely announced : why Khan went 1 day before to China ! It is quite obvious that: administration level is not par excellence: shakeup ís needed at top level
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Nov 06, 2018 07:45am
Easy to be critical when someone else is managing the crisis.
However, its true that all the goodwill IK has generated from the stakeholders in Pakistan will only go so far.
The results have to start showing.. and as an optimist I believe they will..IA.
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Nov 06, 2018 07:59am
So, does this put CPEC's future in question? The relationship seems too weak for such a huge commitment.
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Nov 06, 2018 08:37am
There is economic, social, cultural, political, legal, moral, ethical, commercial, industrial, institutional and mental rot that became unbearabally rancid over a decade of pseduo democratic rule of corruption, loot, plunder, money laundering, sheer thuggary, flagerant and uaccountable abuses of power at multiple levels in each and very field and affair. Now you expect IK to wield a magic wand that will turn a rancid pond in to fresh water pond over night.
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Nov 06, 2018 08:50am
@Dawn, the initial steps decide the direction we are heading in pursuit of our goal. And this editorial is simply pointing that actions by PTI government in these two months are not encouraging.
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Nov 06, 2018 08:54am
It was immaturity on imran’s side that he rushed to china with money help in his mind without prior agreement. Imran should have not forgotten that he was a critic of china and cpec in the past and before the trip, he should have tested or try to see what color of carpet that would be rolled out for him. It is not just embarrassing for him but also for whole nation since the world must have taken notice of it.
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Nov 06, 2018 09:00am
@Adi, Spot on. Cut expenses (defense), increase trade with India and Afghanistan and with China increase exports. Invest in education. Contain extremism.
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Nov 06, 2018 09:35am
The challenges of a nations never end we should pray that he may keep solving old and present challenges as new challenges arise.
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Nov 06, 2018 09:44am
@Truthhurts, The real Truth, which should not hurt you is we are your neighbors and want to ensure your safety and your well being!
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Nov 06, 2018 11:14am
@Pervez, But why does he need to visit the US?. The US needs Pakistan more than Pakistan needs the US no ?
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Nov 06, 2018 11:18am
The PM talked about high-level corruption and money laundering in Pakistan when he spoke during his visit to China recently. What was the need of washing dirty linen in another country, especially when he had gone there to woo investment. Who would like to invest in a corruption-ridden country? Soon PM's spin doctors would come up to claim that by saying what Khan said, he actually meant something else.
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Nov 06, 2018 11:49am
First we make sure that there is no friendship in international relations/politics but national interest.. it is just the part of chinese FP that the friendship between pakistan and china is deeper than occeans sweeter than honey and so on.. we r day by day going into the deep of chinese debt quagmire which if the govt does not trim the nail would lead to serious consequences..
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Nov 06, 2018 12:03pm
Nearly all Pakistan’s problem are due to the $10b a year trade deficit with China and destruction of local industry due to cheap imports from China. Pakistan should force China to buy and eliminate this deficit.
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Nov 06, 2018 04:30pm
@Truthhurts, to the point comment..
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Nov 06, 2018 05:37pm
@Adi, Living for long on borrowed money; grants ; aids ; loans : all foreign made phones : cars, food ; clothes ; luxury items with immediate effect banned : smuggling and embazzlement capital punishment : stoppage of electric; gas : theft : no more strikes: wheel jam : hard labour camps at Dasu and Daimler and trenches: time to roll out law and order :
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Nov 06, 2018 08:16pm
Mr Khan was right in demanding time to adjust to the responsibilities of high office. But the country needs the PTI to learn faster than it appears capable or willing to.
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Nov 06, 2018 10:47pm
Out of date! Success on both front.
1000 or so unedited mullahs surely should not have changed anything. Worst case arrest them. What crisis? Well done PM
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