The Asian century

This refers to the article, ‘What makes this the Asian century?’ (August 17) by S Mohibullah Shah. The article is excellent. The learned writer says that the most important strategic choice the Chinese made in the late 1970s was to embrace ‘globalisation’. He notes that the wisdom of the then ruler, Deng Xiaping, led to the amalgamation of the skilled and educated Chinese work-force with FDI and technology to facilitate the Chinese economy enter the global platform. Pakistan and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif can try and emulate these achievements in Pakistan.

If we have the CPEC project to complete and that too with the support of China, then why not embrace the working ideals and business spirit that have brought unprecedented prosperity in China? We need to instill in ourselves greater work ethics, high morale, devotion to duty, equal educational opportunities for both men and women and opening all sectors of Pakistan for the Chinese to come in and invest. In addition, we need to address our political and governance issues at the earliest so that all forces (economic, political, military, media, higher education and judiciary) make a critical and combined effort in making this New Pakistan based on the Chinese ‘miracle’. Therefore, even before the CPEC’s completion, we should enlist sincere Chinese advice on how to reform our health, education and population planning sectors of the country as well. Joint ventures between Pakistan and China should be encouraged so that we can leap-forward to progress in a short span in the highly turbulent times to come in the Asiatic sphere.

Abbas R Siddiqi

Lahore