Colonialism is the policy of a nation seeking to extend or retain its authority over other people or territory, generally with the aim of developing or exploiting them to the benefit of the colonizing country. It has been claimed, by various opponents of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, that Pakistan is at the verge of becoming a Chinese colony, while Pakistanis are captivated by the spell of CPEC and its ostentatious opportunities.
Considering the fact that economy is alpha and omega of every nation’s progress, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, indeed, is a medicine for the sound health of Pakistan’s feeble economy. Although enough has been written about the similarities of CPEC and HEIC ( Honorable East India Company), yet with the Pakistan’s recent rejection of Chinese Yuan as a currency to be used in Gwadar Free Zone under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and rejection of $14 billion loan by Chinese for Diamer-Bhasha Dam, it has been made clear that CPEC might be an East India Company but Pakistan, certainly, is not declining Mughal Empire.
Pakistan has substantiated her stance as a nation, who is totally aware of her strategies as well as strict about her economic policies and is not ready to compromise, when it comes to her ‘Economic Sovereignty’ not even for her iron brother.
It should be crystal clear to the masses of Pakistan that Pakistan can not become a colony not in thousand years and not with China-Pakistan Economic Corridor because as AnatolLieven claims “Pakistan is in many ways surprisingly tough and resilient as a state and a society.”
AMNA GULL,
Lahore, November 21.