Saudi Arabia Announces New Economic Corridor ......

[S.Y.A]

Minutes of 11th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) of the CPEC was released back in July 31, 2023. However when the bilaterally signed agreement was released earlier in September 2023 almost all of the agreed points in the July minutes were rejected by Chinese side. Following is brief summary of the developments which were agreed by Chinese in July JCC meeting but rejected in the meeting held in September.


1. China excluded cooperation in the areas of cross-border tourism in G-B, K-P and AJK and cooperation for promotion of coastal tourism from the final minutes of the 11th JCC

2. China also did not agree to Pakistan’s proposal for inclusion of Water Resources Management and Climate Change and Urban Infrastructure Development in the CPEC framework.

3. Islamababd wanted to change location of 300 MW Gwader power plant to Thar to use the local coal. But China did not agree to Pakistan’s text about the Gwadar plant,

4. The text related to the financial closing of 701 megawatts (MW) Azad Pattan hydropower project, 1,124MW Kohala power plant, and 1,320MW Thar Block 1 Shanghai Electric Co power plant was dropped from the final minutes. So These plants would not be operational as per original plan.


5. China also did not agree to a proposal to the inclusion of a 500kv transmission line from Hub to Gwadar to link the seaport city with the national grid in the CPEC framework.


6. China did not agree to “carry out joint studies for future development of Thar coal blocks, including development of mega power parks and power evacuation infrastructure, with a view to meet Pakistan’s energy needs from indigenous resources, conversion of coal into other products for domestic demand as well as exports.

7. China excluded the issue of financial challenges being faced by the power companies from the final minutes.


8. China also did not agree to the proposal for inclusion of 100MW KIU and 80MW Phander hydel power projects in the CPEC energy cooperation list and implementation through Chinese investors. China did not agree to the proposal of developing a policy framework for coal gasification to fertiliser projects based on Thar coal.


9. Similarly, there is no mention of the South-North gas pipeline project in the final minutes. The draft minutes had mentioned examination of feasibility study and Chinese cooperation for the purpose.

10. Pakistan had proposed Chinese participation in a strategic underground gas storage project but there is no mention of this mega project in the final minutes.

CPEC expansion plan in doldrums | The Express Tribune

China has not agreed to further expand cooperation in areas of energy, water management, climate change

tribune.com.pk

so its basically china saying no to anything that may help pakistan overcome its difficulties. its like they want us to default on payments and everything.

...or being specific to gwadar power plant; they do not want a grid line, stretching all the way from 100s of kilometers to gwadar, that can be sabotaged.

 

[ProudThamizhan]

Do we Pakistanis have a spine or not? This same Saudi Arabia spend billions to promote their sect in Pakistan, brainwashed young children and made them extremists, the same saudia whom Pakistan and Pakistanis have been bowing down to for decades, same saudia which wouldn't allow Pakistan to improve their relations with Iran and other states. Pakistanis kept on closing their eyes and ears and continued to worship.

The same Saudia now spending billions to promote their relations with India, trying to rival Cpec. Where are those Pakistanis who have been saying for 20 years on PDF that Saudia hamara bhai hei.

I am not blaming saudia but Pakistanis. Hum ek chamcha mulk hei, otherwise would you dare to show saudia their true face. Saudi lovers will certainly make it out that Pakistan will benefit mostly lol



100%. Pakistan for decades have been on purpose not improving relations with Iran because Saudia would pull their pants down. But now saudia is hugging Iran and India, shitting on Pakistan leadership face. Pakistan betrayed Turkey during Malaysian summit, betraying China with taking the mick with Cpec and Gwadar.

why do you automatically assume that Saudi's won't work with / help Pakistan just because they collaborate with India?

DOn't you think the KSA is in a fight for existence because it is only a matter of time (may be 10 may be 30 years) before oil stops being the primary source of energy for the world? They have to build an industrial base and a new economy that has alternate anchors. To his credit MBS is at least trying. IMO this new ecorridor is one such alternatives he is trying. It doesn't diminish Pak-KSA relations in any way

 

[LeGenD]

Watch this video to understand ground realities.

Both Pakistan and China are in reviewing CPEC projects due to local conditions and problems. Understandable.

Good planning is a need of the hour - better do this now instead of having regrets at a later stage.

Do it right.

 

[etylo]

so its basically china saying no to anything that may help pakistan overcome its difficulties. its like they want us to default on payments and everything.

...or being specific to gwadar power plant; they do not want a grid line that can be sabotaged.

Well, I see quite a number of Pakistanis on the forum are very against the the idea of CPEC, saying it is a debt trap, obviously they have bought Indians and Americans' narrative. Then, why would people want to greatly expand the scope of CPEC now ?

 

[S.Y.A]

Well, I see quite a number of Pakistanis on the forum are very against the the idea of CPEC, saying it is a debt trap, obviously they have bought Indians and Americans' narrative. Then, why would people want to greatly expand the scope of CPEC now ?

it has turned into a debt trap due to the unfavorable conditions negotiated by pmln and nawaz shareef. and now nothing can be done. its simply unsustainable. what we got out of it was indeed beneficial, but nawaz effed it all up with a punjab centric approach and unfavorable terms and conditions like higher rates of return and linking return to dollars.

 

[VkdIndian]

All mega infrastructure projects have a gestation period. The full benefit and the associated eco-system takes time to come up. It could be decades in some cases.

However, there are few basic aspects that play a key role for financial viability-
- Feasibility study to assess the viability. This is the most important starting point.
- Terms of finances used for the project.
- Quality of work.
- Who gets how much work. Because employment generation is an important offshoot of mega projects.
- Effort to bring industries and economic activities to benefit from the project. To start with, there may not be too many subscribers but with adequate incentives, many may jump in.

Conceptually, CPEC appears to be a mega project with benefit galore. However, a lot of details about the other aspects of the project have been withheld from public for some reason. The political situation within Paksatan has also contributed to, inadequate efforts to develop ancillary aspects of the project.

 

[fitpOsitive]

May be that was the whole reason to topple the government in April 2022 ........... to make space for other economic players in region by castrating CPEC.

Even big bang took place to topple the govt of Imran Khan, who was begging around the world for some millions. You can forget what happened during Imran Khan era, not me.

 

[Crimson Blue]

Even big bang took place to topple the govt of Imran Khan, who was begging around the world for some millions. You can forget what happened during Imran Khan era, not me.

Sure, PTI government was terrible.
But it would be helpful if you clarify your point of view by listing some improvements that have happened in Pakistan and to the lives of Pakistani people since PTI government is gone?