Yes, surely provided we pick a right path,

says Syed Sibte Ahmed Jafri

by Manzoor Shaikh & Muhammad Salahuddin

If you view Chinese the way Syed Sibte Ahmed Jafri, the CEO of Jafri and Associates does, you will surely add up to the concerns which are being widely spread in the wake of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). But it is not despair only that results from such a view. There is a lot of signs of opportunity provided we succeed to choose the right path.

We asked Mr, Jafri as to what side of divide he finds himself on while viewing the CPEC.

ER: Is it an opportunity or a path to the collapse of Pakistani industry and turning us into a consumer market?

SSAJ: I have been visiting the US since 1980s. Initially, when I would visit shopping centers, there were hardly any American products. Only Japanese products were there. No Chinese or Indian products could be found. Slowly and gradually, Indian and Malaysian products started to appear. The time passed and now for the last five years, almost everywhere I find Chinese products. Take an example of android phones only. It is competing with iPhone in the market and its prices are much cheaper besides all qualities of iPhone. Chinese have captured the market of a stronger country like the US. Not only that but products like steel, turbines, power plants and others you name it are coming from China. All big western companies have set up their plants in China. They are continuing their brands made in China. If it can happen with the US then what about us. Once China enters in Pakistan with full force what shall we do especially in a situation when we don’t feel proud of doing anything good?

I have the experience of visiting Shahrah-e-Resham (Karakoram Highway) while it was being constructed. There were two worlds, different from each other. Since a subsection on Pakistani side was handed over to Chinese, I had a chance to see it. It was unbelievable. It was like an army of robots which was working there. Once the siren rang they started work, stopped for lunch and read quotes of Mao Zedong. They moved like ants. They strictly followed this timetable from dawn to dusk. They had the whole job. We can understand from this example.

Yet, there is another example too. Chinese did some wind projects here. If you visit there was a huge security. It was not for the people who go inside; it was meant to stop insiders from coming out. There are thousands of Chinese prisoners who were working. They worked like machines.

Almost no salary they were getting. Actually, they were serving their terms. Europeans use machines whereas the Chinese do it with manpower. It sounds a little funny but if you actually see it happening then you will realize who you are competing with. They have everything; they have competed the best European technology; they have abundant money; their banks are the wealthiest. They have the habit of meeting deadlines. How can we compete with them?

They have to transport their goods to the world. It is a must for their survival. They shall reduce 10 thousand kilometers of distance through CPEC. Gwadar is now under their control. They have everything at hand now. What they want now is infrastructure. It includes power for which they have installed power plants. What would you give them? Nothing! They will arrange everything including water and security.

Chinese psyche

They don’t have any consideration for forgiveness and forgetting. They don’t spare difference of opinion. We can recall the Tiananmen Square.

ER: Don’t you think the people ruling this country know what all you are talking about? Then what is the compulsion of being drifted towards that end?

SSAJ: I don’t think so that our people are aware. What is our interest is something they (the ruling elite of Pakistan) don’t know about. Have a look at Karachi only. They don’t know how the people are living in localities situated on the outskirts of the city. The people at the helm of affairs are ignorant. They are not bothered either. The modern world has an efficient system of information collection through intelligence sources. It is not the same case here. Our ruling elite is not bothered at all. When it comes to their personal interest only, they appear to be moving. Looking at the history of the country, only Z.A Bhutto was bothered.

ER: Do you think our military establishment is also is in t he dark? How can one believe they also don’t know about the picture you are depicting here?

SSAJ: There is no difference, though there must be some honest ones. They are not answerable. They can’t be depended upon. But still there is a hope that the honest people will rise.

ER: Is there any hope for corrective measures?

SSAJ: The only possibility is that Pakistan is protected by Allah. Sincerity with the nation is a must. We follow religion in personal lives but in business. It is crystal clear in Pakistan. The industrialists are not honest. What are they doing? There are many success stories also. All people are not the same. Many are kings in their businesses. There would be many opportunities as well in the CPEC. The honest will prevail. I am convinced Allah exists and also His system. If we follow Allah and the Sunnah we will succeed. Pakistan is the largest country in terms of donations. Edhi was born here and so is Sailani doing charity in Pakistan.

ER: Besides religion we need money to be involved in the CPEC? The people say we don’t have money.

SSAJ: I don’t agree with this notion. Why big money? It can begin with smaller amounts of money. Chinese will give work to local companies also but honesty and hard work is a prerequisite. We shall have opportunity in the CPEC but it depends how we avail it.