Gilgit, Sep 2: China is expanding its presence in Azad Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and Balochistan with the help of governments in Pakistan - be it dictators or elected regimes – who have ignored interests of the local people. The ruling PML (N) government has hailed the relationship with China as being “higher than the Himalayas and sweeter than honey”. During his visit to China in July 2013, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif signed many agreements including an $18 billion economic corridor from Xinjinag on China’s western border to the Gwadar port in Balochistan. Sharif also called for an early completion of repair work on the Karakoram Highway, which runs from Xinjiang through Azad Kashmir. Experts say this is of economic and strategic interest to China and will not benefit the people of Pakistan or Azad Kashmir.
