Politics
JUI-F Leader Blames Army for Stalling CPEC, Claims U.S. Is Taking China’s Place
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chief of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI‑F), accused the Pakistan army of derailing Chinese investments linked to the China‑Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). In a post on X, Rehman said Pakistan had disappointed Beijing by halting CPEC‑related projects midway and warned that losing Chinese confidence could deter other countries from investing. He claimed that the United States was stepping in to fill the void left by China, stating that American officials had admitted this to him. Rehman clarified that he is not opposed to foreign investment in Pakistan’s mineral sector and that the country urgently needs international capital, development projects and economic opportunities. He said multinational companies from the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France all invest in Pakistan. Rehman also alleged that politicians backed by the military establishment prioritize personal interests over the country’s economic well-being. He questioned the imposition of governor’s rule and the declaration of an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, suggesting the measures were linked to concerns over the region’s mineral reserves rather than terrorism. His remarks come as Pakistan seeks to attract foreign investment into its mineral sector, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. CPEC, a flagship component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, includes infrastructure, energy and industrial development projects but has faced challenges such as security threats, delays and concerns over the safety of Chinese personnel and investments.