By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: high-profile event on Pakistan’s foreign relations—focusing on ties with China and the United States—was held today, attended by Chinese Consul General Zhao Shiren, foreign affairs expert Muhammad Mehdi, former National Security Advisor Gen Nasser Janjua, Safdar Ali Khan, and other distinguished participants. The event was organized by Sarzameen Forum Chairman Safdar Khan.
Speakers stressed that Pakistan must base its foreign policy decisions on national interest rather than emotions, noting that emotional choices have historically damaged the country.
Chinese Consul General highlights ‘ironclad’ partnership
Chinese Consul General Zhao Shiren said he was honored to reflect on the “unique and time-tested” China–Pakistan friendship, rooted in shared ancient civilizations and strengthened over 74 years of diplomatic ties.
He noted increased high-level engagement this year, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China and the signing of an action plan outlining 63 areas of cooperation until 2029.
Highlighting a decade of CPEC progress, he said the project has attracted $25.93 billion in investment, created 261,000 jobs, built 510 km of expressways, added over 8,000 MW of electricity, and expanded the transmission network by 886 km. He said projects such as the Orange Line Metro, Haier-Ruba Economic Zone, Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park, and Chashma Nuclear Power Plant are delivering direct benefits to millions.
He said CPEC is now entering a “high-quality” second phase focused on five corridors: Growth, Livelihood, Innovation, Green, and Open. Phase 2 aims to boost industrial, agricultural, and mining cooperation, expand IT and AI sectors, and strengthen business-to-business linkages.
The Consul General added that developments under China’s 15th Five-Year Plan will create new opportunities aligning with Pakistan’s “Uraan Pakistan” vision by generating skilled jobs and empowering youth. He termed the China–Pakistan partnership a pillar of stability amid global uncertainty and reaffirmed China’s firm support for Pakistan’s development and long-term prosperity.
US–China balance must be guided by realism: Mehdi
Addressing the event, Muhammad Mehdi said Pakistan’s relations with the US and China are shaped by long histories of cooperation, sanctions, and shifting policies. He recalled US sanctions such as the 1965 arms embargo and the Pressler Amendment, which influenced Pakistan’s strategic thinking.
He noted that while the US signed a civil nuclear deal with India and advanced the Indo-Pacific strategy, China took a clearer position supporting Pakistan during the 2019 Balakot crisis. Today, Pakistan meets nearly 81% of its defence needs from China, which does not impose political conditions on cooperation.
Mehdi acknowledged the unequal trade balance with China but said Pakistan’s own shortcomings contribute to it. He urged policymakers to actively pursue trade opportunities while encouraging Beijing to help reduce the gap.
He said Pakistan can maintain strong ties with both the US and China, but only if it makes decisions based on clarity and national interest rather than symbolism or rhetoric. On CPEC, he said delays have limited public benefits, adding that more important than announcing “CPEC Phase 2” is ensuring real improvement in people’s daily lives.
