Experts call for growing trade with energy-rich Central Asian countries through CPEC

Islamabad:Experts have said that there was a need to shift from a reactive portrayal of CPEC to a proactive approach for countering negative media propaganda against CPEC.

The experts were speaking during a roundtable discussion on “Narratives on the CPEC and role of media” hosted here by Institute of Regional Studies (IRS). Dr Yasir Masroor, former director, Media and Publications, Ministry of Planning, said that the negative narrative was aimed not just at creating misperceptions, but also at keeping Pakistan entangled in a geostrategic quagmire. He urged the government to move beyond a reactive stance so to counter the pervasive propaganda.

Ehtisam ul Haq of China Media Group emphasised the importance of showcasing CPEC’s success stories and noted that social media can effectively promote its positives. Dr Tahir Mumtaz Awan, former Director China Study Centre, Comsats University, also raised concerns about insufficient response to negative propaganda regarding CPEC and emphasised the importance of increased engagement with international media to neutralise such misconceptions.

Dr Talat Shabbir, Director, IRS, said that there were challenges in developing CPEC and crafting a positive narrative about it. He stressed that all stakeholders, including China, must work to counter Indian propaganda.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, Jauhar Saleem, president, IRS, highlighted the misinformation being spread about CPEC and emphasised the need to showcase its contributions to Pakistan’s economy to counter such propaganda. He also urged the media to perform its twin roles of informing as well as educating by adopting an objective and constructive approach.