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27 April 2015

Should Pak bask in the glory of China’s aid?

Aaasim Sajjad Akhtar
Apr 27 2015 

Our ruling class is living in denial if it believes that billions of dollars of Chinese investment can gloss over a long history of state repression of under-represented ethnic nations. Obviously, China’s development plans are a part of a larger strategic blueprint

BEYOND the spectacle, what is the long-term significance of the Chinese president's much-hyped two-day visit to Islamabad? Grandstanding aside, what stood out most was the virtual unanimity of mainstream political parties that China and Pakistan are — in Prime Minister Sharif's words —”truly iron brothers”. 

Consensus across political divides is very rare in this country; even more so when the military establishment chimes in. 

So should we all follow suit and bask in the glory of the Asian superpower's unmatched economic and political commitments to Pakistan's development? As with everything else that matters in this country, there has till now been little meaningful debate outside the highest echelons of power about China's ever-expanding role both in Pakistan and the wider region. I will note down here only some pointers that might stimulate such a debate.

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