On Tuesday, 4th of August 2021, PM Imran Khan appointed a civilian, Khalid Mansoor as the chairman of CPEC authority. As soon as PM announced his decision Asim Bajwa took the departure news to Twitter and informed the public. However, the publicly made decision depicts ambiguity in the reason for resignation and comes right after a few weeks of the Dasu incident. People are curious to know why he left the post and why was Asim Bajwa replaced. Well, read the article because we are going to answer all of your questions!
Why was Asim Bajwa replaced?
A jolt to Pakistan was the Dasu dam incident that adversely affected the bilateral ties of China and Pakistan. Soon after the aggravated situation of the Dasu Dam incident, Lt Gen Asim Bajwa was replaced by Khalid Mansoor as Prime Minister’s special assistant. Gen Bajwa tweeted about the decision. He appreciated PM Imran Khan’s efforts in running the CPEC affairs. Moreover, he also wished luck to the newly appointed Khalid Mansoor, calling him fully equipped to take the lead. Further, he also called CPEC a “lifeline” to Pakistan and called it a factor for progressive changes in the state.
According to DAWN, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhary didn’t know the reason why was Asim Bajwa replaced. Moreover, he told them to ask the Federal Planning Minister Asad Umar about it.
However, the Government appointed Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa as CPEC Authority’s chairman back in November 2019, for a four-year period. Although it faced objections from the opposition. Before retiring from the army, he served as a commander southern command. From 2012- 2016 he was director-general at the Inter-Services Public Relations. Moreover, he also faced massive corruption allegations and called them “malicious propaganda story.” Due to such allegations, he stepped down from the position of SAPM on information and broadcasting.
Federal Planning Minister Asad Umar appreciated the efforts of Asim Bajwa for CPEC. He praised him for broadening the CPEC scope and called his dedication a source of strength. Further, the credit for the CPEC establishment goes to Bajwa.
In the meanwhile, Asad Umar also welcomed Khalid Mansoor to the CPEC team. He called him an “ideal person” to lead the project and stressed his vast corporate experience and work with Chinese companies.
Who is Khalid Mansoor?
The profile of Engro Energy’s website shows Khalid Mansoor as the director of Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC). The bio further says that he holds a degree in Chemical engineering and has more than 32 years of experience in the Energy & Petrochemical Sectors. Further, he is the Chairman of Laraib Energy Limited.
Khalid Mansoor has worked as the Chief Executive Officer at the Algeria Oman Fertilizer Company. Moreover, he has also served at the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Engro Fertilizers Limited, Engro Powergen Qadirpur Limited (EPQL), Engro Powergen Limited (EPL), and Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC).
Further, he has also served as a director at the Boards of Engro Foods (Pvt.) Limited, Engro Vopak Terminal Limited and Chairman of the Board of Engro Powergen Limited in the recent past. The profile shows his other work and says that in the recent past he had rejoined the Board of Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company.
Now, according to the appointment, he will serve as the special assistant to Prime Minister on the CPEC affairs. While speaking to DAWN, he said,
“We’ll bring new investment from China. We must ensure that Chinese companies already operating in Pakistan are facilitated,”
Khalid Mansoor
Further, he also praised the work of Mr. Bajwa said that,
“A majority of new power projects, including the ones on Thar coal, are under CPEC,”
Khalid Mansoor
China Pakistan Economic Corridor is an emblem of the Pak-China friendship. It is a source of strengthening the already strong bilateral ties of China and Pakistan. This project will do wonders for both the states but in particular for Pakistan.
What is CPEC? What will be its effect on international politics?
