Complaint by China: Government makes appropriate 'corrections'

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government has reportedly made appropriate "corrections" after the angry Chinese government threatened to scrap all contracts and leave the country.

The state of 'dicey' relations between the incumbent government and Chinese government was at its height during the last few months after a few ministers accused a Chinese company of being corrupt and bribing Pakistani stakeholders; and many projects were facing delays due to "accountability" by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Prime Minister's Advisor on Commerce, Textile, Industries and Production, Abdul Razak Dawood was the first senior man in the government who raised alarm about possible Chinese withdrawal from CPEC.

"Chinese government argued that it invested in Pakistan for friendship's sake and government ministers began portraying them as corrupt and threatened to wind down all CPEC projects. Then Prime Minister Imran Khan and other authorities concerned moved to rectify the tense situation," said one of the insiders, quoting Chinese top authorities.

Recently, the Prime Minister has replaced Minister for Planning, Development and Reform, Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtair, who was the top liaison between the incumbent government and the Chinese government. China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is now being dealt with by Asad Umar, the new Minister for Planning, Development and Reform. The government has also established CPEC Authority is now headed by a retired Lt General to deal with all issues relating to projects.

Media reports suggest that Bakhtiar was removed on the complaints of the Chinese government and a couple of other ministers may also be on the exit list however, Minister for Railways, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed denied these reports.

However, sensible elements in the government are of the view that CPEC is in every aspect in Pakistan's favour.

Another insider told this scribe that during a recent meeting with one of the top men in NAB, he was informed that the Bureau does not understand the regulated sector and its fallout has been negative. However, NAB official did not agree.