Finance: Missteps may prove costly

Pakistan’s Foreign Office adjusted its position — within a week — on US President Donald Trump’s announcement about retrieving leftover American military equipment from Afghanistan. The Foreign Offices said: “These weapons have been used by terrorist organisations, including Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, to carry out terrorist attacks in Pakistan.” The FO spokesman had previously said: “This is essentially an issue between two governments, which is the United States and Afghan interim authorities,” according to a Dawn report. This is an example of how Pakistan may have to assess its stance on geopolitical or geostrategic matters involving the US. Continued Chinese support is a must to keep economic progress steady. But so far, efforts in implementing China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects have not impressed Beijing.