Baloch Tribal Chiefs Vow Unwavering Backing for CPEC and Belt and Road Initiative
In a significant breakthrough, leaders from prominent Baloch tribes, traditionally perceived as opposing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), have pledged their unwavering support for the project. They have also committed to ensuring the safety of Chinese nationals working throughout Balochistan.
These tribal leaders have not only dismissed Western propaganda concerning China's investments through the CPEC but have also expressed their dedication to supporting CPEC initiatives and the broader Belt and Road project.
The Pakistani delegation, led by the Balochistan governor, includes notable figures such as former Chief Minister Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch, Central Joint Secretary of Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI) Bayazeed Kasi, Balochistan Minister for Sports and Culture Abdul Khaliq Hazara, Member of Provincial Assembly (MP) Sanaullah Baloch, prominent tribal leaders Abdul Kasi and Nasir Zaman Khan, Senator Muhammad Daud, Mir Liaqat Ali, Mir Mehroze Marri, Mohammad Humayun Barakzai, Faisal Hayat Khan, Chairperson of Balochistan Institute of Research and Development (BIRD) Ms. Javeria Tareen, as well as political leaders, businessmen, and think tanks. During their visit, the delegation toured Urumqi, Kashgar, and Beijing.
It's noteworthy that Western media has consistently portrayed Balochistan's nationalist tribes and groups, including the Marri and Bugti factions, as critics of the CPEC. Therefore, their endorsement of the CPEC represents a significant shift.
Governor of Balochistan, Amanullah Khan Yasinzai, and other representatives inaugurated the Silk Road Community Building in Xinjiang, China, as part of the People-to-People Connectivity theme of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing on April 25.
During their meeting with Mr. Song Tao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the delegation discussed the importance of people-to-people connectivity within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). They emphasized the need for cultural collaboration, openness, inclusivity, and innovation, not only among governments but also among social organizations.
Balochistan Governor Amanullah Khan Yasinzai highlighted the Silk Road community building initiative as a means to bolster the CPEC. He stressed that Balochistan and Xinjiang share strategic and ethnic similarities and can learn from each other's development models. Yasinzai called for cooperation in education, agriculture, and women's development and proposed exchange programs for Balochistan's leaders to gain insights from Chinese models.
Bayazeed Kasi, representing the PTI government, emphasized the importance of mutual cooperation in agriculture, education, and health. He praised China's successful poverty alleviation model and its potential to benefit Pakistan. Kasi also highlighted the CPEC as an opportunity to address terrorism and promote investment in Pakistan.
Mir Mehroze Marri expressed his admiration for China's development model and emphasized the need for similar poverty alleviation projects in Balochistan. He called for technology transfer in healthcare and education sectors and stressed the significance of Gawadar for both countries.
The delegation emphasized the importance of people-to-people connections, media cooperation, and railway development in Balochistan to enhance local industries and counter Western media propaganda against the CPEC. They also emphasized the need to ensure that the benefits of the CPEC reach the marginalized communities in Balochistan.
In conclusion, the leaders from Baloch tribes' endorsement of the CPEC represents a significant shift in perspective. They see the CPEC as a catalyst for development and cooperation, and they are eager to learn from China's successful models to accelerate progress in Balochistan. The emphasis on people-to-people connectivity and cooperation reflects a commitment to building a brighter future through collaboration between Pakistan and China.