CPEC

A FUTURISTIC PROPOSITION OF BECOMING A SUPERPOWER

Pakistan is a developing country; China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) plays a significant role to strengthen the economy of Pakistan. It is a prime segment of One Belt and One Road. It carries a Maritime Silk Route connecting Gwadar to China along the broader Indian Ocean, East Africa, and the Gulf States, towards the Mediterranean via the Red Sea, connecting with North Africa and Europe. Traditionally, China and Pakistan cooperated at the strategic and political levels. CPEC is a massive bilateral project to reinvigorate the economy of Pakistan and for the betterment of trade with China.

To revamp the existence of two countries China and Pakistan through establishing a joint corridor which stimulates reciprocal construction, exploring culture, trade, bilateral connectivity among the communities of two different countries.

It includes:

• Agricultural Development
• Collaboration at the energy sector
• Promote tourism
• Economic cooperation
• Human Resource Management
• Amalgamated IT and transport system which includes Air, Road, Railways, Port
• Socio-Economic Development such as education, poverty, medical facilities, water supply
• Development of industrial zones

CPEC is a significant opportunity for Pakistan. China is one of the phenomenal markets and CPEC associates us with China. Special economic zones are developing and they welcome international investment. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif pen down an agreement and an unprecedented $46million Chinese investment announced on April 20, 2015. The crucial goal of CPEC is to transform economy of Pakistan by modernising transportation,  energy, highway and port infrastructure and to bring forth a corridor from Gwadar and Karachi to Xinjiang province of China enroot towards the border of Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, India, and the ancient Silk Road ran through its territory.

The road would be around 2700 km from Gwadar to Kashgar. The motorway will be stretching from Lahore to Karachi, additionally to the Karakoram highway from Kashgar to Khunjerab Pass to Islamabad. One Belt and One Road are not about roads only; a train track will be constructed between Peshawar and Karachi, the extended version will be established between Rawalpindi and the Chinese border.

Webbing of pipelines shall be established which will be fruitful for transporting natural gas and oil from Iran and the Gulf countries. This initiative has been wholeheartedly welcomed by both countries. Although it is not free of problems but as a whole holds high regard among the community of two countries. Pakistan is considered to be the fulcrum where the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia can invest which is the most influential religion in the world.

“Gwadar is becoming the most important economic hub of Pakistan''

Things are speculating that China is going to transform Pakistan. This is true as China has led the foundation of a new source of promising synergy between two countries which may help them to translate their political strategies into diversifying economic corporations to pro futuristic win-win outcomes for the masses. The collaboration between Pak-China since Pakistan is a developing country; China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) plays a significant role to strengthen the economy of Pakistan. It is a prime segment of One Belt and One Road. It carries a Maritime Silk Route connecting Gwadar to China along the broader Indian Ocean, East Africa, and the Gulf States, towards the Mediterranean via the Red Sea, connecting with North Africa and Europe.

Traditionally, China and Pakistan cooperated at the strategic and political levels. CPEC is a massive bilateral project to reinvigorate the economy of Pakistan and for the betterment of trade with China. Ages has proven that China doesn’t want to establish a colony in Pakistan, on the contrary, it is a state-to-state relationship. China first proposed an agreement in May 2013. The Chinese President paid a visit again in April 2015 to sign the agreement and thus initiate a huge project. Its opening ceremony was held at Sukkur in Pakistan. CPEC is in the implementation stage. “Pakistani policymaking is still shaped by the ostensible strategic dividends of a close relationship with China as a counterpoint to India and a means of deflecting U.S. pressure.”

The economic corridor has been called the game changer as Gwadar and Gwadar Port has been considered as the Gateway of CPEC. Initially, ten projects were approved in Feb 2014 by 2nd JCC; afterward five more projects lined up. The cost is over US$ 2.500 billion. In recent times, China has given a back of $19 billion to Pakistan and CPEC is one of the major projects where China has invested $60million for the development of the industrial sector.

Saudi crown prince Muhammad Bin Salman paid a visit at Islamabad laid the foundation of a new chapter to reinvigorate the economy of Pakistan; a memorandum of understanding was inked between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan worth more than $20 billion thus headed for an unconventional mutual relationship. This major groundbreaking investment proves to be a significant breakthrough for the endeavouring economy of Pakistan. 

“We are building up a great future for Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. It’s definitely going to grow eventually and will be beneficial for both countries. Saudi Arabia can’t say no to Pakistan. Pakistan will have a great future. We are creating a future for both countries.” Saudi Crown Prince

Prime Minister Imran Khan added that the relationship is based on investment only and this is going to be at the next level which will synergically interest the two. The investment of $20 billion is considered to be the chronicle and highest foreign support ever happened in the history of Pakistan.

UAE comes next to Saudi Arabia in terms of investment Prime Minister Imran Khan visited the UAE on September 19, 2018, as a result, envisions more investments into Pakistan and dialogue with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan helpful to revitalise terms between Pakistan and the UAE.

Prime Minister Imran Khan foresees more funding coming on the way to Pakistan; proves to be a great venture indeed and a step forward in various fields. It catches the interest of the venerable firms to invest in the refinery, ports telecom sector. The mutual settlements for the year 2017-18 reached $8.6 billion more than the passing years

Prime Minister Imran Khan on his first official visit laid emphasis on a shared alliance between Islamabad and Ankara. PM Khan addressed the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB); an eminent business forum with 365 members from local chambers, urged Turkish stockholders to invest in Pakistan as it is a hub for opportunities. It’s a virgin enclave with many opportunities and reserves of oil, gas and a safe place for the tourism industry. He added that CPEC is one of the significant

projects in Pakistan; assured them satisfactory assistance provided to the investors through this project. He showed them a road map of the good governance which is under process.

“Countries like Pakistan and China are the symbol of pacemaker for brotherly relations among countries” President Xi Jinping.

“Our friendship is rooted mainly on trust and shared partnership; amplifying our relations to an all-weather strategic cooperative alliance. CPEC should be used as a bridge to intensify corresponding cooperation through working consistently at major issues. We must cultivate common goals to attain mutual development. We should use this project for constructive cooperation which is ultimately favourable for the masses in Pakistan and other regions with a focus on Gwadar port, industrial cooperation, and infrastructure development. This year is considered to be the Year of China-Pakistan Friendly Exchanges. We should support each other through thick and thin; collectively meet security threats. China will provide assistance to 1000 Chinese language teachers for Pakistan and many training opportunities are lined up for the coming years. We, the masses of China, are peace lovers. We assure you that we will seek win-win cooperation and planning for the enrichment of our friendship. China will continue to pursue shared interests, sincerity and long term friendship. As a result, fabricating new scope for upcoming projects and space for both Asia and the rest of the world. Let us work hand in hand for the establishment of a beaming future for both countries.

CPEC is a corridor to sponsor economic expansion and thus makes a deep-rooted impression on Pakistan and its citizens. If there are possibilities one should be aware of the fact that there are serious risks as well. As CPEC is a gateway of opportunities for many but at the same time it would be responsible for instigating a sense of deprivation within the provinces until policies are redefined. In order to hold back from the situation CPEC projects must be assisted by conscientious strategy.