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Improved Internal Security and CPEC
09/14/2017 | 10:25am
INTERNALLY Pakistani state and society have suffered huge social, economic, infrastructural and human cost due to militancy and terrorism. Terrorism brings devastations in the whole functioning of the state and develops mistrust in the foreign investors to invest in Pakistan. However, according to the annual survey report of Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) conducted in June, 2017, there is definitely a positive movement with a 69 % reduction in petty crimes (mobile and cash snatching), 90 % decrease in the higher intensity street crimes (car snatching etc), abductions/hostage-taking and "Bhatta" demands reductions as compared to 2016, ranging from 94% decrease in Lahore, and KPK (93%) and Karachi (92%).
The security environment during 2017 has not only improved for the foreign investors but also for the potential investors, their customers, suppliers, and employees. These enabling factors would increase the productivity of the economy and would create more opportunities for CPEC.
The increase of 4.6 percent in foreign direct investment (FDI) during 201617 may partly be the result of improvement in the security situation and further gains on this front may be helpful in attracting the attention of foreign investors. OICCI members have reported significant improvement in the confidence and comfort on security matters, which had gone up further after the 86% increase, reported in the previous survey. For that, higher number of expatriate business visitors has traveled to Pakistan in the past one year and most of the business related meetings are now being held in Pakistan prior to August 2013 were conducted in other countries due to security concerns. It is a strong indicator that Pakistan has improved on the security related matters that will help in the momentum of CPEC.
The highest numbers of OICCI Members visits were from European countries, including the UK, followed closely by visitors from the Middle East, China, Singapore, USA, and Japan. Reviewing all these surveys it is very conducive and productive for Pakistan and China in order to continue CPEC and its related economic activities in a very effective way. While considering all these matters, the government has run very successful urban pacification and campaigns against militants. Their efforts can be measured from the dramatic decrease in violence-related casualties across the country in the last two years.
The existing internal security situation and formulating a comprehensive strategy under National Action Plan (NAP) can work more effectively to stabilize the situation. Later, it will create a climate that is supportive of socio-economic activities in the country. If European states are appreciating the improved internal security of Pakistan then their interests will also increase in more economic activities and as well as the CPEC.
Presently, United States has also started threatening Pakistan by isolating diplomatically. Pakistan needs unity in its ranks to defeat this scourge. More than anything the NAP needs to be updated to include longterm objectives such as devising rehabilitation program that may help in bringing long lasting and durable stability to the internal security landscape of the state. Government needs to upgrade the practicality and efficiency of NAP, as banned outfits are gradually setting up political parties by changing their identities. Politicians having crucial stakes are creating hurdles in the development of the country by spreading uncertainty for foreign investment and hurdles in the completion of the CPEC projects in Pakistan. For this, government needs to take more effective steps for overcoming internal challenges and successful completion of CPEC to generate FDI activities and interest of foreign investors.
© Pakistan Press International, source Asianet-Pakistan
09/14/2017 | 10:25am
INTERNALLY Pakistani state and society have suffered huge social, economic, infrastructural and human cost due to militancy and terrorism. Terrorism brings devastations in the whole functioning of the state and develops mistrust in the foreign investors to invest in Pakistan. However, according to the annual survey report of Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) conducted in June, 2017, there is definitely a positive movement with a 69 % reduction in petty crimes (mobile and cash snatching), 90 % decrease in the higher intensity street crimes (car snatching etc), abductions/hostage-taking and "Bhatta" demands reductions as compared to 2016, ranging from 94% decrease in Lahore, and KPK (93%) and Karachi (92%).
The security environment during 2017 has not only improved for the foreign investors but also for the potential investors, their customers, suppliers, and employees. These enabling factors would increase the productivity of the economy and would create more opportunities for CPEC.
The increase of 4.6 percent in foreign direct investment (FDI) during 201617 may partly be the result of improvement in the security situation and further gains on this front may be helpful in attracting the attention of foreign investors. OICCI members have reported significant improvement in the confidence and comfort on security matters, which had gone up further after the 86% increase, reported in the previous survey. For that, higher number of expatriate business visitors has traveled to Pakistan in the past one year and most of the business related meetings are now being held in Pakistan prior to August 2013 were conducted in other countries due to security concerns. It is a strong indicator that Pakistan has improved on the security related matters that will help in the momentum of CPEC.
The highest numbers of OICCI Members visits were from European countries, including the UK, followed closely by visitors from the Middle East, China, Singapore, USA, and Japan. Reviewing all these surveys it is very conducive and productive for Pakistan and China in order to continue CPEC and its related economic activities in a very effective way. While considering all these matters, the government has run very successful urban pacification and campaigns against militants. Their efforts can be measured from the dramatic decrease in violence-related casualties across the country in the last two years.
The existing internal security situation and formulating a comprehensive strategy under National Action Plan (NAP) can work more effectively to stabilize the situation. Later, it will create a climate that is supportive of socio-economic activities in the country. If European states are appreciating the improved internal security of Pakistan then their interests will also increase in more economic activities and as well as the CPEC.
Presently, United States has also started threatening Pakistan by isolating diplomatically. Pakistan needs unity in its ranks to defeat this scourge. More than anything the NAP needs to be updated to include longterm objectives such as devising rehabilitation program that may help in bringing long lasting and durable stability to the internal security landscape of the state. Government needs to upgrade the practicality and efficiency of NAP, as banned outfits are gradually setting up political parties by changing their identities. Politicians having crucial stakes are creating hurdles in the development of the country by spreading uncertainty for foreign investment and hurdles in the completion of the CPEC projects in Pakistan. For this, government needs to take more effective steps for overcoming internal challenges and successful completion of CPEC to generate FDI activities and interest of foreign investors.
© Pakistan Press International, source Asianet-Pakistan
