Several Chinese entrepreneurs based in Pakistan expressed deep concerns related to their operations in Pakistan in a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan on September 14. 

The meeting was demanded by leaders of Chinese entrepreneurs aimed at addressing Chinese firms' concerns regarding policy support and security after recent terrorist attacks.

Coming in direct attack from a delegation of Chinese business leaders, Khan vowed to chair a monthly self-review meeting to address their concerns, acknowledging that the Pakistani government is distressed with the slow progress of CPEC in the wake of growing discontent among local Pakistanis against Chinese projects. 

Khan government fears that repercussions of concerns gripping Chinese investors may lead to negative impacts on CPEC development, which is part of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s BRI.

Chinese enterprises were fierce in their attack of difficulties in doing business in Pakistan and accused Pakistani Prime Minister of doing little to increase the confidence of Chinese enterprises.

Pushing Pakistan to give more liberal and independent exclusive business zones, the Chinese enterprises voiced their hopes that Pakistan could introduce an industrial park management committee - a common practice in China - to simplify approval processes.

Pakistani Prime Minister's Office Twitter account, informed that Chinese enterprises that attended the meeting included OPPO, Shanghai Challenge Textile Co, and Easy Prefabricated Homes Pvt, a subsidiary of Henan D.R. Construction Group Co.

The Chinese enterprises pressed Imran for over the board preferential policies such as some form of preferential tax treatment and land policies from the Pakistani government to support R&D and high-tech production. 

These demands are sensitive for Imran which has been accused of compromising on sovereignty issues in favour of Chinese-funded firms in the local industrial park that include land purchases and natural gas and power supplies. There is a growing debate in Pakistan on debt traps related to CPEC projects. 

Chinese authorities have put security situation of Chinese projects under spotlight in all bilateral discussions in the wake of recent attacks targeting Chinese personnel. 

Even special protection units have failed to stop these attacks which stem from various factors such as dissatisfaction among locals due to exploitation of resources, little stake of local population in projects, low compensations for land procurement and lower local employment.

There are increasing cases of clashes among Chinese managers and local Pakistani labour as more and more Chinese labor have swamped CPEC projects in Pakistan leading to loss of employment at basic level.

The cracks in the corridor are wide open and Imran Khan appears to be falling in the ditches of these cracks.

This has nothing to do with Nigerian economy