Pakistan wants more fire, but China has commitment issues

The Pakistani military establishment is secretly lobbying for a bilateral defence pact with China. But senior Pakistani officials say there is little hope for an immediate breakthrough as Beijing was cautious about any such pact.

According to diplomatic and military officials in Islamabad, the Pakistani military leadership has made overtures to China in recent months as its relationship with Washington was weakened by several controversies. Islamabad has been trying to convince Beijing to agree to the pact saying that it will be mutually beneficial. A senior foreign office official in Islamabad said, “Our view is shared by authorities in Beijing to an extent. This will send a strong signal to the international community that Pakistan is not alone ... an emerging world power is standing behind it.”

According to the sources, Pakistan formally raised the issue during a visit by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to China early this year, immediately after the killing of al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad by US commandos. “He put forward Pakistan’s desire formally”, said a senior military official who was privy to the development but requested his name not be mentioned.

However, the Chinese leadership advised Pakistan not to push for an agreement that could put Islamabad and Beijing in trouble with both Washington and New Delhi. A spokesperson for the foreign ministry Tehmina Janjua refused to comment on any bilateral defence pact between China and Pakistan.