The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is more than just a $47 billion

dollar investment. It will not only improve Pakistan’s current situation, but
promises to improve the lives of nearly three billion people across the region
as part of the larger Chinese vision of a grand Silk Road Economic Belt, which
stretches across Asia through the Middle East and connects to Europe.

Speaking at the Institute of Policy Reforms (IPR) on April 19th, renowned

British scholar Anatol Lieven said that CPEC is an economic breakthrough for
Pakistan, and if it works out can generate as much as three or four times the
initial $47 billion investment.There is no doubt that continued economic
development is the key to a strong Pakistan. The corridor will help alleviate
poverty in Pakistan by creating new business and job opportunities. Pundits in
the media have often referred to Pakistan as a failing state, the fact that China
is willing to invest so heavily in Pakistan proves them wrong.

The Chinese see the endless possibilities that Pakistan has to offer and their
partnership will help Pakistan revive its once strong economy, bringing back
the foreign investors, who fled the country following the 2008 elections.

China and Pakistan have a very strong friendship, and this Chinese initiative
will further strengthen that relationship, by making China a stakeholder in
Pakistan’s future. This will ease some of Pakistan’s security concerns in
regards to both its neighbors in the East and West. Pakistan will become the
most strategically important country in the region because it will improve trade
and economic connectivity between Asia, the Middle East and Europe. The
energy projects announced, as part of the CPEC agreement will end
Pakistan’s energy crisis once and for all.

The Chinese have already helped establish the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park in
Bahawalpur, which by the end of the year is expected to churn out 1,000 MW
of much needed electricity. The alternative energy and nuclear energy
projects proposed will generate approximately 16,400 MW of power, not just
ending the energy shortage in Pakistan, but will also help us combat pollution
by cutting down on carbon emissions by as much as one and a half billion
tons per annum.
Pharmaceutical products exports increase record 22.60
Tourism is another Pakistani industry that will see an immense boost as a
result of this corridor. Pakistan is home to the world’s second highest peak at
K2, and also boasts another five peaks above 8,000 meters, in addition to the
more than 50 other mountains over 7,000 meters. Mountaineers from around
the globe will flock to Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region as soon as CPEC is
operational.

As Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi said at the IPR conference, it is now up

to Pakistan to ensure that CPEC becomes a reality. The Ambassador was
alluding to the number of obstacles that have already begun to show their ugly
heads because of domestic and regional politics. These obstacles include the
current security situation in the country, corruption, lack of national unity, and
the ingress of foreign agents hell bent on ensuring that the CPEC initiative
and development of Gwadar port fail.

The military has played an important role in alleviating some of the Chinese
concerns and removing some of the obstacles, especially in regards to
guaranteeing strong security. General Raheel Sharif raised a Special Security
Division, commanded by a serving two-star General to make certain that the
best possible security is provided along the CPEC route, and protection for
the foreigners working on the project. The Pakistan Army under General
Raheel’s leadership has also made tremendous progress in combating
terrorism. It is now up to the political leadership in the country to make sure
that there is a national consensus on CPEC.

There are some political entities in Pakistan that have challenged the
corridor’s route, slowing progress on the development of road and rail
networks. Others have been supporting terrorists in Balochistan on the behest
of their foreign masters.

There is also strong evidence that our neighbors to the East have been
funding terrorist activities in parts of Sindh and Balochistan in an effort to halt
work on the corridor. The current government needs to take charge of the
situation and address the non-security related obstacles that threaten the
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. I applaud Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for
securing the Chinese investment; but the job is only half done. It is now this
government’s responsibility to make sure that they do everything in their
power to make CPEC a reality.

If the Prime Minister does not get his house in order, and fails to deliver on his
promises to the Chinese on time, then he will not only jeopardize our
relationship with them, he will also destroy Pakistan’s reputation for
generations to come, ruining the future of the country. The China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor is not just a $47 billion Chinese investment; it is the key to
Pakistan’s survival, therefore all political parties, and every individual
Pakistani should support the current government in its efforts to make this
project a reality.