Alice Wells, US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia’s recent whirlwind of criticism on CPEC has spurred reactions from the Pakistan government and former ruling party, PML-N.
Since CPEC had been practically launched during the previous government of PML-N, the opposition leader and party’s senior representative Shehbaz Sharif outright denounced the shades thrown at CPEC by Alice Wells and vehemently defended the project in a threat of tweets posted on Twitter.
Amb. Alice Wells' statement on CPEC reflects her ignorance of the design of the project. PMLN categorically rejects her criticism & dubs it ill-founded. As someone who was closely associated with negotiation process, I must say that CPEC envisions a community of shared interests>
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) November 24, 2019
I believe President Xi's Belt & Road Initiative, based on the idea of win-win partnerships, shows the way forward & is an incredible model of interstate relations. Pakistanis will remain grateful to their Iron Brother for not only CPEC but also being an ally & all-weather friend!
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) November 24, 2019
Shehbaz Sharif, declaring himself a close associate of the negotiation process describes the CPEC as a project that ‘envisions a community of shared interests’.
He explained the mechanism of CPEC, called it a multidimensional project that tends to facilitate Pakistan in the ‘development of the energy sector, development, industrial zones and functioning of Gwadar port.’
Read more: CPEC to improve Pakistan’s Welfare: Asad Umer
Shehbaz Sharif asserted that CPEC is the guarantor of exponential economic and social progress of Pakistan hailing it as the ‘generous’ and timely assistance program- ‘the largest in the history Pakistan’ for the elimination of energy crisis. He professed China’s tremendous help for Pakistan in the shape of CPEC.
He appreciated President Xi’s initiative of the Belt and Road project, called CPEC a ‘win-win partnership’. ‘Pakistan will remain grateful to their Iron brother for not only CPEC but also being an ally and an all-weather friend’ concluded Shehbaz Sharif.
US’s Criticism on CPEC
Alice Well’s crisp remarks against CPEC came during her speech at the Wilson Center on the impacts of the Chinese Communist Party’s OBOR in Pakistan. During her speech, she pointed out serious flaws in the OBOR project CPEC initiated by China in Pakistan.
She warned that it is not a win-win situation for Pakistan, it is the Chinese government that will acquire profits on the loans given to Pakistan for the project. The project harms the principle of sustainable development in Pakistan. She believes that Pakistan has been saddled with cumbersome loans under CPEC and failure to repay the loans might force Pakistan to compromise its sovereignty or the surrendering of its assets.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a main initiative of OBOR intending to bring Pakistan closer to China by addressing infrastructure needs, but potentially at an unsustainable cost to Pakistan. Inflated pricing of power & development projects isn’t good for..
— State_SCA (@State_SCA) November 21, 2019
She added that as opposed to bolstering sustainable development in Pakistan, people in the country are bearing the brunt of inflated energy prices.
Read more: Gen (ret) Asim Saleem Bajwa to head CPEC amid controversy and western propaganda
Alice Wells also claimed that Chinese workers and materials have superseded the Pakistani youth in the project, who are willing to take up the opportunity to work on the projects benefiting the country.
CPEC also relies primarily on Chinese workers and supplies rather than giving that business to #Pakistan companies and workers. Pakistanis—particularly enthusiastic youth—are more than able & willing to work on projects that will benefit their country.
— State_SCA (@State_SCA) November 21, 2019
She drew a comparison between US-Pakistan and Pak-China trade partnerships. Adding that “The US-#Pakistan business partnership stands in contrast to the CPEC model, one that contributes to sustainable growth and expertise that builds capacity for local communities. By bringing superior quality & technology, US companies are driving productivity gains in Pakistan.”
The US culture of corporate social responsibility also provides models for creating jobs and opportunities. The @USPWC is one such initiative that fosters cooperation between US and #Pakistan private sector to mentor women and girls.
— State_SCA (@State_SCA) November 21, 2019
She informed that the US government has increased its activity with 15 Pakistani trade delegations planned next year. She added that there exist numerous business communications with Pakistan which is generating thousands of jobs for Pakistanis.