Ex-US govt official asks USA to revert to its previous stance on CPEC

Former US Assistant Secretary of State Robin Raphel said on Wednesday that the USA should not have more reservations over China’s role in Pakistan’s economy, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Speaking at an international seminar on ‘Strong Pak-USA relations’ in Islamabad, she said that the US should revert to its previous stance on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that it was beneficial for the region.

Raphel, however, said that the cooperation between the two countries in 1960 for the import of American technology proved to be a ‘game changer’.   

She said both the USA and Pakistan were currently passing through political turmoil, and in these circumstances, the public opinion needed to be respected.

Speaking on the occasion, US Ambassador in Pakistan Donald Blome said that there was a long history of Pakistan-US collaboration and partnership.

He said that cooperation between the two countries in sectors of agriculture, security and trade was beneficial for both countries, especially for Pakistan.     

Blome said his country acknowledged the sacrifices given by Pakistan in the war against terrorism.

He said there was an impression that the ties between two countries were linked to the security situation in South Asia and elsewhere.

“They, however, seem to ignore the trade relations between USA and Pakistan.”

“Currently, the volume of Pak-USA trade is $9 billion,” he said, adding, “The volume of surplus trade stands at $3 billion.”

The US envoy further said that several American companies had invested in Pakistan and hence created job opportunities for the locals.

He said that the USA completely supported collaboration between Pakistan and the IMF so that the former could deal with its financial challenges. “It is heartening to see that Pakistan has made a significant progress in overcoming these challenges

He went on to say that his country had monetarily assisted Pakistan in the construction of Mangla, Tarbela and other dams. “Presently, we are working on the installation of new general electric turbines at Mangla Dam.”

Blome said not only that, the USA was also training Pakistani teachers besides helping the country build new schools and restore old ones. “The US embassy plans to spend $20 million on education sector in Pakistan,” he said, adding, “Apart from that, we are working on a programme under which there would be a frequent exchange of delegations of artists between the two countries.

Speaking on the occasion, former Pakistani foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua said that the Indo-US ties, which were basically based on limiting China’s influence in the region, were affecting Pakistan.

Tehmina made it clear that the US policy in the Middle East, particularly its stance on Israel’s conflict with Palestine, was not popular here in Pakistan.