Home » Opinion » Foreign Views
Multi-polar order can shape the world’s future
Print Edition
The global order is being transformed and a new system of international relations is taking shape, resonating the dawn of a multipolar world.
In today’s world, reasons of instability and uncertainties in global politics and economy are increasing.
Threats to global and regional stability include terrorism, extremism, trafficking in drugs, transnational organized crime, cyber threats, man-made and environmental disasters, as well as the implications of global climate change.
While the US envisages the continuity of the unipolar world, it appears that a multi-polar Asia with multiple centers of power is shaping its contours.
Some of the current developments in Asia need attention. In Afghanistan, both China and Pakistan subscribe to the cardinal principle that the Afghan peace process should be Afghan-owned and Afghan-led.
Together, Pakistan and China could work in synergy for achieving a durable peace in Afghanistan, mitigating the decades-long hardships and agonies of the Afghan people.
Pakistan has all along been contributing toward achieving stability in Afghanistan.
In the economic domain, Pakistan has moved forward the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement at a fast pace.
Pakistan has plans to build the Peshawar-Kabul Motorway and complete many development projects for the Afghan people with US$500 million donated by Pakistan for Afghanistan’s reconstruction.
We are also in contact with the Afghan government for setting up a biometric system at border crossing points.
In the military domain, there is now unprecedented cooperation between the Afghan and Pakistani militaries and intelligence agencies for better border management.
The government of Pakistan has developed the National Action Plan (NAP) which is a comprehensive plan to counter terrorism and extremism in Pakistan. The NAP is in its implementation stage in coordinating with all provincial governments as well as all other stakeholders including the Army, Frontier Corps, Rangers, Police and intelligence agencies.
We are confident that when we are through with our counter terrorism operations, Pakistan will be a much safer and more peaceful place.
China and Pakistan are “Iron Brothers.” President Xi Jinping’s visit to Pakistan last month was a historic event. More than 50 agreements covering the entire spectrum of economic-infrastructure activity underwritten by upfront availability of US$46 billion were finalized.
Economic corridor
The flagship agreement signed during Xi’s visit is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is a communication network comprising a world-class seaport, commercial sea lanes, an airport, highways, railways, fibre optic cables as well as oil and gas pipelines.
The Chinese investment program focuses on projects that shall transform regional and global trade flow patterns.
This arrangement offers additional opportunities of availing investment from entities like the Asia Infrastructure Development Bank and the Silk Road Fund. Both nations could be proud of this accomplishment.
China’s investment plan in Pakistan is a part of China’s overall initiative for Asia in general and South Asia in particular. We appreciate that China is working for regional connectivity elsewhere in South Asia. The Chinese engagement with Pakistan and with other countries in the region will contribute to stability in Asia.
Success and long-term sustainability of economic cooperation with China largely depend on how effectively and speedily the two countries can implement these projects and utilize new investment windows.
Here it is important to mention the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
The SCO mainly focuses on addressing major security issues within the region. It has developed a multifaceted cooperation in the field of security. SCO member states are determined to fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism, transnational organized crime, trafficking in drugs and weapons, threats to information security and illegal migration. Pakistan is looking forward to its full membership.
South Asia is one of the world’s largest regions with almost one fifth of the world population. Without peace in and around our region there can be no lasting stability.
Pakistan has always been keen on having normal relations with India on the basis of mutual respect and equality. Pakistan also wants to resolve all its issues with India and achieve peace through a peaceful process. It is important that we move forward by fully abiding by bilateral agreements and commitments. It is also very important that no preconditions are attached to the dialogue process.
Asian century
Asia has a multitude of security challenges. It lacks compatible structures for its continent-level cooperation, be it political or economic. There are various flashpoints which could be ignited on petty pretexts and at an instant’s notice.
Under these circumstances, China could play an effective role in transforming Asia into a politico-economic entity and hence making this century as Asian century. We see the setting up of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as the first step in this regard.
The author is the president of the Islamabad Policy Research Institute of Pakistan. The article is adapted from his speech at the Third Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building in Asia (CICA) Think Tank Roundtable held in Shanghai recently.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
