Political fights, propaganda, and a bit of exaggeration are all part and parcel of politics. However, misstatements or false attributions that affect a country’s diplomacy should ideally be avoided. In this context, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal has accused “a political party” of spreading misinformation about Pakistan-China relations over the past few days, claiming that a smear campaign is underway to sabotage ties between the two friendly countries. Iqbal’s comments came after reports surfaced that Beijing had downgraded its relations with Islamabad, something he has termed as enemy propaganda. Pakistan and China have a strong, multifaceted relationship, and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a project that both sides have heavily invested in and are committed to completing. CPEC aims to promote socio-economic development, create employment opportunities, and improve livelihoods in Pakistan.
To be fair, recent reports about Beijing downgrading relations would hardly pass the test of journalism, with experts pointing out that such reports are often published in the international media due to two converging lenses: the West and India. Both have the same anti-China agenda. When read objectively and carefully, these reports are almost always without substance. It must also be understood that this is not the first time such reports have surfaced. The difference now is the attention they receive at the domestic level. There is a bizarre trend by a specific political group to gleefully wave around anything that makes it seem like the Pakistani state or government is failing in its job. This is understandable only to an extent, after which it moves into a very toxic category.
Political parties should realize that not everything is about settling political scores, especially when it comes to propaganda pieces that are obviously just that. Unfortunately, the lines of political criticism have been blurred to such an extent that some people think it’s acceptable to use whatever comes their way. In a region where India wants to build its hegemony and China is its biggest challenger, and in a world where the West sees China as a strong competitor due to its robust economy, both India and the West regularly dish out propaganda. At the heart of the issue lies the balance between political discourse and national interest. While political differences are inevitable in any democratic society, they must not be allowed to undermine fundamental national interests. The partnership between Pakistan and China spans various domains, including economic development through CPEC and advancements in the space sector. Any attempt to sabotage these initiatives is detrimental not just to bilateral relations but also to Pakistan’s economic and developmental prospects.
It is imperative for all political parties to uphold national interests above partisan gains. Moving forward, a concerted effort is needed to foster a national consensus on foreign policy matters. This includes respectful dialogue within parliament and constructive engagement with state institutions. Pakistan’s ability to navigate global challenges depends on a united front where national interest remains paramount.
Shafaqna Pakistan
pakistan.shafaqna.com
Note: Shafaqna do not endorse the views expressed in the article
