“Yeh Chini bhai toh bahut sakht hai Taufiq.” Mehmood, the high level External Affairs official
whispered to his deputy Taufiq. His Chinese counterpart’s sharp eyes caught the moment but
remained quite.
“Mr Chang, all we want is that CPEC should continue. We assure you all the support.” Taufiq
pleaded. Mr Chang took a deep breath and educated the duo.
“Well, Mr Mehmood. I am not authorized to make any promises. I am here to inform you
about the agenda points for the next high level meeting. Firstly and most importantly, the
massive corruption in your country has led to draining of colossal amount of our money.
Ironically, your General-in-Charge of the affairs is himself accused of siphoning off huge
amount of money and your Government has even refused to investigate the matter…”
“…No, no, Mr Chang…he is one of our best Generals…..mmmm…” Mr Mehmood tried to
rationalize.
“Mr Mehmood, please do not interrupt. As I said, I am not here to make any promises. So, I
request you to make note of things.” Mr Chang was stern. Mehmood sheepishly converted
his fawning grin into a dismal diplomatic lip streching. His country was holding the begging
bowl, so he better behave.
“Secondly, the Baluch insurgency has got a filip after the Gwadar project progressed. They
always protested against being the largest but the poorest province, against the lack of
development and stealing of their natural resources. Now they are accusing ‘us’ of being your
‘partner in crime.” Chang said.
“Oh Ji, Baluchistan is no issue at all. There is no insurgency there……….India is….” Mr
Mehmood started to cover-up but the snobbish look on Mr Chang’s face discouraged him.
“We are aware of all the details Mr Mehmood … don’t dump everything at India’s
doors…open your eyes or be ready for another East Pakistan.” Chang picked up a thick
folder on Baluchistan and showed it to the duo. “And as I said earlier…” He started to say.
“Yes ..yes…Mr Chang, you cannot make any promises.” Taufiq interjected to avoid the
discomfiture.
“You know that we are funding eighty to ninety percent of the infrastructure cost of the CPEC
projects but it appears that your country is not even in a position to fund the remaining
amount. We had to assist you when your old friendly nation demanded the money it had
loaned you…..your financial state is ….. poor…” Chang said to the duo who sat there like
school children hauled up by the headmaster.
“Now, other things like precarious political situation, skyrocketing inflation, crumbling
economy, rampant corruption, terrorism, radicalization…aaaa….minority targeting...ummmmm… ….aaaa…protests in Gilgit…FATF problem…” Mr Chang stopped in between and said something in Chinese to his assistant who jerked his head up and down, got up and gave a full page with the summary of issues to be discussed in the next meeting, basically the laundry list of problems in Pakistan. The assistant did a bending gesture in front of the duo and returned to his seat. The duo knew well that it was not a gesture of respect but a reminder of their mortification.
“Yah…about the political situation….. We have no problems with that, but the opposition
parties ganging up against CPEC is annoying. Your major opposition parties have come
together under the umbrella of an alliance against the Prime Minister. Interestingly, the same
Prime Minister was against it when he was in the opposition.” A sarcastic smile crossed Mr
Chang’s lips. In next ten minutes Chang, to the chagrin of the duo, rubbed in the large
number of other issues of Pakistan and told them about the next meeting.
As the duo stepped out of the conference room Mehmood commented-
“Yaar Is se to ache American hain…….”
“Ab woh kahan dost rahe hamare…..” Taufiq lamented.
“There are no free lunches … Chinese are seasonal friends…they have no love for us….they
are not looking to create jobs and enhance economy for Pakistanis…they are looking for
energy security through our Gwadar port.” Mehmood said while entering the elevator.
“Like we show our love for Kashmiris……. ‘false love’….we are looking for water security and
real estate.” Taufiq said.
“Hmm…. We could not save East Pakistan, Balochistan is drifting away, we are begging for
alms to run the country and we still claim to get Kashmir. ” Mehmood complained.
Another day passed….the country limped for another mile with the ball and chain debt tied to
one leg. Mehmood and Taufiq remained silent for some time….thinking about the precarious
and pitiable state their country was caught in. They had only one friend…and that too was
drifting away. Was there any friendship or it was a façade always?
KYA ZINDAGI HAI…ROZ UTHO, BHEEKH MAANGO…KASHMIR KASHMIR CHILLAO
AUR SO JAO
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