CPEC, a game changer

Muhammad Hassan Jamali

Pakistan has great geopolitical importance in the region. The most vociferous depiction
of this reality came in shape of China Pakistan Economic Corridor. The corridor is a $46
billion project which will provide the shortest trade routes for the Chinese goods to the
markets of Gulf and African regions via Gwadar port of Pakistan. The project is being
seen as game changer of region amid challenges faced by it.
CPEC brings immense economic opportunities for Pakistan. The country has for long
faced economic crisis. In the wake of this project Pakistan will seek revenue from port
rents, trade tariffs and chance to establish its own trade links with the Gulf States.
It will bring fortune to the people of the regions who will host its trade routes. This will
also lead to establishment of industry thus creating more jobs. An important prospect of
CPEC is seen in the power-projects it is bringing for Pakistan. Under the deal signed,
China will install over 15 power plants in Pakistan. They will double the energy
production by 2020 which is going to end the energy crisis in country.
CPEC brings the prospect of uniting the region economically. China can lead an
economic bloc of Asia. Iran will also find this project favourable once this project gets
completed. The CPEC has been proving an eye sore for the enemies of Pakistan, thus
giving way to a number of challenges, including engineered militancy in Balochistan to
demoralise the investors, the Indian interference in the construction and development of
project and global strategic competition between US and China.
CPEC is seen a Game Changer in the region as it will bring economic unity in Asia
particularly among the countries of South Asia, Middle East and adjacent states of
Africa, it can bring stability in the region if countries are positively engaged in trade,
CPEC can turn Gwadar port into an international trading point bringing fortune to
Pakistan and regional balance, which for long has been US-dominated, will gradually
begin to show a shift in alliances. Dealing with the challenged ahead, CPEC can be
constructed to exploit the maximum of potential it carries. CPEC is a Game Changer
economically as well as strategically.
— Karachi