Pakistan's FM embraces B&R amid souring ties with other regional players

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Pakistan's most famous cricketer Imran Khan has begun a new inning as prime minister of the country. But barely five weeks after he was sworn in, he is dealing with some major problems, including a stagnant economy and some diplomatic challenges.

While Pakistan's ties with China are blossoming with close cooperation in regional security and economic investments such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Khan faces major challenges in other areas.

Islamabad's relations with its traditional ally, Washington, have soured. The White House cut 300 million US dollars in aid to Pakistan over its perceived inability to tackle extremist groups. Meanwhile, Pakistan's tensions with neighboring Afghanistan continue to rise over accusations of terrorism.

Khan also suffered a major setback when India rejected his offer for a meeting between the foreign ministers of both nations in New York. New Delhi initially accepted the offer, but later withdrew, blaming "Pakistan based entities" for the recent killing of Indian security forces.

CGTN's Anand Naidoo spoke about those issues with Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

Qureshi shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, Pakistan, September 8, 2018. / VCG Photo

The interview first addressed the long-standing regional conflicts between Pakistan and India, especially when India rejected a possible meeting between foreign ministers from the two countries. Qureshi suggested that despite all the misunderstandings and challenges, dialogue remains the only way out.

"Talks have been installed for three years," said Qureshi. "There is no other way forward, talk is the only way."

However, Qureshi admitted that whether they will have a talk depends largely on the Indian political environment, which showed signs of reluctance. Therefore, the foreign minister urged leaders to go beyond the present wrestling and look at the larger, long-term picture of the region.

Pakistan and India had two wars against each other in the Kashmir region in the past decades. According to the minister, the Indian side of Kashmir has not improved but rather deteriorated. The government used excessive force, which had proven to be counterproductive.

Balochistan faces the same problem. Qureshi suggested that India wants a conditional ceasefire, while Pakistan is willing to negotiate.

"We need reconciliation and healing in Balochistan," he said.

Talking about the soured relationship with the US, Qureshi pointed out that the country is facing just as much, if not more pain, as the US, and that the anti-extremists programs are making progress.

Personnel of Pakistan march during the ceremonial opening of the 2018 SCO Peace Mission drills in Chebarkull in August. /VCG Photo

"The withdrawal happens at a time when more engagement is needed," he said. "The improvement has not met the expectation, and thus somebody has to take the responsibility. Pakistan is a scapegoat and an easy target."

The country is also trapped in troubles on the economic front. Financial Action Task Force, a famous global money-laundering watchdog, put Pakistan on its greylist. Responding to that issue, Qureshi said that "if more is required, we will certainly comply with that, but act on our own interest."

The relationship with China is perhaps the most productive and positive diplomatic achievements so far for the new Pakistan administration. When it comes to the CPEC project, the foreign minister applauded for this mutually beneficial corporation.

"It's a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, and Pakistan welcomes that," said the minister. "Many projects are ongoing, and we would like to see implementations as soon as possible."

A container is loaded onto the first Chinese container ship to depart after the inauguration of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor port in Gwadar, Pakistan, November 13, 2016. /VCG Photo

He also mentioned that the new administration is looking forward to the second stage of such economic cooperation. "We wish to move from infrastructure development to investments in people, creating more industrial and agricultural activities, and as a result improve the livelihood of our people."

Looking beyond the economic ties, Pakistan is also recognizing China's role in regional peace and stability, especially when it comes to trilateral relationship improvement with Pakistan and Afghanistan. China, in his view, will "facilitate a bigger understanding."

At the end of the interview, Qureshi also mentioned the major challenge facing Pakistan: corruption. Seeing China's achievements in cracking down upon corruption, Qureshi expressed his curiosity about the Chinese experience.

"China did a great job dealing with the corruption problem," said Qureshi. "We want China to share this experience with us."

The Heat with Anand Naidoo is a 30-minute political talk show on CGTN. It airs weekdays at 7:00 a.m. BJT and 7:00 p.m. Eastern in the United States.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com.)