Prime Minister Imran Khan’s official visit from 3-6 February 2022, to the People’s Republic of China to attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games 2022, in Beijing, was termed a very important and fruitful visit. The joint statement also confirms the success of this visit. The joint statement almost covered all important issues and mutual trust and confidence.
The PM Imran khan met on 11 February 2022 with the senior diplomats from the Ministry of foreign affairs, especially those who have served in senior positions in China or are involved in China-related issues. The meeting was also attended by senior journalists too.
Read more: PM Imran Khan visit to China: Key takeaways
The meeting was covered by TV channels too
PM meeting with senior diplomats and journalists was some kind of interactive meeting, where Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and PM Imran Khan briefed the audience on their China trip. Whereas, the participants give their inputs and suggestions including a road map of China Pakistan relations. It was an excellent interactive session, and a good tradition to consult or take on board the relevant experts and technocrats.
As a matter of fact, it was a sort of attempt to use collective wisdom for national interests. This is a good beginning and must be kept on a regular basis. The PM may also call a similar meeting with various technocrats, subject experts, or specialists from various walks of life on other emerging important issues.
Constituting formal councils like Economic Council, Foreign relations council, etc. were not a successful model as these councils have met seldom and no consensus reached in such formal councils. However, the meeting held on 11 February was informal and was conducted in a very cordial atmosphere, where experts shared their opinion freely and advised PM on future courses based on their expertise.
However, if this meeting has been arranged before the visit, might have been more productive and fruitful. It is hoped, in the future, such meetings may be arranged before important visits. It is desired, PM Imran Khan may hold a similar meeting with experts on Russia before his Moscow visit.
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It might help to transform PM’s Moscow visit more fruitful and productive
The meeting on 11 February 2022 was simple and straightforward, where, PM also pointed out the issue rightly – 18 amendment as a major hurdle in the smooth functioning of SEZs. How the 18th amendment was introduced and under which circumstance it was passed in National Assembly and Senate was well known to everyone. The same route may be followed to remove this amendment.
PTI government has got almost all bills approved, whichever they have decided to pass. Although it will be an uphill task, and opposition may resist changing this bill. But, PTI has a track record of getting passed all bills, which opposition was resisting. The 18th amendment is not part of the bible and can be changed at an appropriate platform through consensus. Or alternatively, forming more provinces, like all divisions or districts of Pakistan may be declared as provincial status. Then, the 18th amendment will be diluted and less harmful. It might also help to overcome the ethnic, social, linguistic divide and uniform distribution of resources, and uneven developments of provinces and regions. PTI can take such bold steps and retain its popularity.PM Imran Khan has the courage to take bold steps and unpopular decisions.
In fact, only one political party may oppose it. Or few politicians only. The masses will support the Government in getting rid of harmful amendments or making more provinces. On the other hand, the number of provinces is not part of our region nor words of God, which cannot be changed at all. In the changing environment, all political parties have the right to do legislations that suits the nation and serve the interests of the masses. The vast majority of the masses will support such changes.
It is expected, once the PM has realized the root cause of obstacles, he is supposed to take appropriate measures to rectify the things. The expert advice by the attendees may have been taken into serious consideration to strengthen the Pak-China relations and transform CPEC more productive and beneficial.
Read more: High expectations from PM Imran Khan’s visit to China
Collective wisdom is the beauty of democracy and tradition of Islam – as shura or consultation. It is desired that PM will keep this practice and will consult the relevant experts, technocrats, and subject specials on all important issues and meet the expectations of his voters and masses. Wish him a successful and fruitful visit to Russia.
Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan. He can be reached at awanzamir@yahoo.com. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Global Village Space.