CPEC: CHALLENGES &

PROSPECTS
ESSAY FOR CSS/PMS
(2350 WORDS)
JULY 14, 2020
 ✓Introduction
✓1-Understanding the Belt and Road initiative
✓2-CPEC is the heart of Belt and Road initiative
✓3-Challenges in the development of CPEC
✓National
OUTLINE
✓Political unrest in Pakistan could delay the progress
✓The no transparency policy on CPEC raises political
( 74 WORDS) skepticism
✓Cultural differences in CPEC partnership
✓International
✓US, INDIA and Western world against CPEC
✓proxy wars initiated by the rivals have created unrest
✓terrorism at home and abroad is a threat to CPEC
 ✓Iranian port of Chabahar Funded by India to compete for
CPEC
✓4-Prospects for CPEC
✓Access to Africa for new economic adventures
✓China and Pakistan would become strategically important
countries
OUTLINE ✓Enhancement of regional and international value of Pakistan
✓Opening of new avenues of connectivity and trade
( 76 WORDS) ✓The shift of Central Asian Republics towards Pakistan rather
than India
✓The economic development of Pakistan
✓All Provinces of Pakistan would become revenue-generating
units
✓End of western influence on Pakistan
 • The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), formerly known as One
Belt One Road, is a global development strategy adopted by
the Chinese government in 2013 involving infrastructure
development and investments in nearly 70 countries and
international organizations. CPEC is a part of BRI which
involves Pakistan and china in developing an economic
INTRODUCTION corridor. This Corridor will link between Kashgar in north-
western China to Pakistan's Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea
near the border with Iran via roads, railways, and pipelines.
( 138 WORDS) There are many internal and external challenges for the
Pakistan government to implement this multi-dollars project.
However, it is a game-changer project which will transform
the fate of Pakistan and will help Pakistan modernize. It will
improve the economy and trade, enhance regional
connectivity, overcome energy crises, develop infrastructure,
and establish people to people contacts in both countries.
 • The economic belt of the Silk Road or “One Belt” designates
the land network of silk roads linking China to Europe.
Reviving the ancient Silk Route is a very ambitious goal and
PARA 01 the new Maritime Silk Route that envisages connecting three
billion people in Asia, Africa, and Europe—recognizing the
fact that regional integration is a necessary measure to meet
1-Understanding the the demands of an economically globalized world. According
Belt and Road to the assessment of the Corridor, the plan is involved in
initiative laying the foundation for regional cooperation, improving
economic growth, offering trade diversifications, investing in
transportation, mining, and energy sectors and creating
( 142 WORDS) political flexibility. It is a vision with the world-. Changing
implications, an unfolding plan that would weave much of
Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and the Middle East much
more closely together through a patchwork of diplomacy, new
infrastructure, and free trade zones.
 • CPEC is the heart of one belt one road initiative. This
3,000km network of roads, rails, and pipelines starts from the
Pakistani Arabian Sea port of Gwadar, in Balochistan
PARA 02 province, climbs along the Karakoram highway through the
Khunjerab pass in Gilgit-Baltistan, before crossing into the
Kashgar prefecture in China’s Xinjiang region. Within
2-CPEC is the heart of Pakistan’s territory, the economic and development project
Belt and Road prioritizes transport infrastructure, industrial development,
energy, and Balochistan’s strategically located Gwadar port.
initiative Agricultural modernization and production form another
critical component. The CPEC links China's strategy to
( 128 WORDS) develop its western region with Pakistan's focus on boosting
its economy, and The CPEC will reduce China's routes of oil
and gas imports from Africa and the Middle East by
thousands of kilometres, making Gwadar a potentially vital
link in China's supply chain.
 PARA 03
• Pakistan faces several challenges in the implementation of the
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. These
3-Challenges in the challenges can be identified as external and internal. The Vice
development of CPEC Director General of Policy Research Office at the
International Department of the Central Committee
Communist Party of China, Dr Luan Jianzhang is of the view
General that political unrest, security situation, and administrative
issues are some of the most significant challenges in the way
(74 WORDS) of successful completion of the Corridor.
 • Pakistan's domestic politics is also essential to the CPEC’s
PARA 04
3-Challenges in the
development of CPEC
National
Political unrest in Pakistan
could delay the progress
(119 WORDS)
success. The country’s political system has never been
particularly stable. Political power oscillates between military
and civilian leaders. General Pervez Musharraf’s resignation
as president in 2008 ended the latest period of military rule,
and from that point onward, the military has been pushed
from centre stage. In the 2013 election, the Pakistan People's
Party lost power after the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz
defeated it. Judiciary’s involvement ousted the elected prime
minister Nawaz Sharif. Upon the installation of the new
government of PTI, the talks and progress of CPEC
hibernated for at least six months. Thus the political structure
of Pakistan is somehow contributing to the delay of this
flagship project.
 PARA 05
• In Pakistan, some political parties like ANP, Baloch
3-Challenges in the
nationalists, raised serious objections to the CPEC project.
development of CPEC Even PTI and JUI (F) showed inclinations to climb the
bandwagon of anti-CPEC forces. Complaints were being
National raised despite assurances by the then governments that this
project will provide equal opportunities to all the provinces.
The no transparency Now the ruling party PTI has also assessed its Importance and
policy on CPEC raises is eager to serve for the cause. Yet no transparency has been
political skepticism observed on projects because the Chinese president does not
want to make information public this raise the concerns In
( 101 WORDS) political class as well as in civil society.
 • Cultural considerations and public relations should also be
PARA 06 taken into account when evaluating the CPEC’s prospects for
economic success. Ordinary citizens in China and Pakistan
3-Challenges in the are not very familiar with each other. The countries’ leaders
development of CPEC have built an all-weather friendship and close political
relationship over the years, but this is not yet true of the two
National societies at large. As China and Pakistan gradually expand
cooperation, there will be an increasing number of Chinese
corporations investing in Pakistan. Different cultural practices
Cultural differences in and ways of thinking could cause misunderstandings, and this
CPEC partnership could negatively affect CPEC projects. For these corporations
to be successful, they will need to understand local cultures,
( 127 WORDS) norms, and rules. Having information about and services for
doing business in Pakistan is also crucial for Chinese
corporations.
 • The construction of the Corridor has been defined by many as
PARA 07 a strategic moment such that Pakistan has assumed the
position of economic pivot for the whole region. This
International paradigm shift in circumstances is a cause of great worry for
the enemies of Pakistan both within and outside. India, Israel
US, INDIA and Western and the US are unhappy. For India, CPEC is a thorn in its
world against CPEC paw. They have put their heads together to work out new
strategies to block the project forward march. At the same
( 110 WORDS) time, the international media backed by the US and lobbying
groups chant the complete BRI as one debt, one trap instead
of one belt one road.
 • The security of the whole Corridor and Gwadar is a real
PARA 08 concern for China and Pakistan. After the military operation
International in different parts of Pakistan, the terrorist infrastructure still
exists inside and outside of the borders, which will continue
to pose a threat. The support of the American CIA, Israeli
proxy wars initiated by Mossad, and Indian RAW has continuously been assisting the
the rivals have created militant groups. The arrest of Indian spy kulbushan Yadav
unrest was the biggest proof that was assigned to create unrest in
Balochistan. And sub-nationalists in all the provinces to
conduct subversive acts - and using terrorist elements in the
( 108 WORDS) whole country to threaten the Pak-Chinese plans of
developing the CPEC.
 PARA 09 • Terrorism, which has long affected Pakistan's internal
security and stability. Although Pakistan has worked hard to
strike at religious extremism and terrorist activities, its
International problems with terrorism have not substantially improved in
recent years. Because the CPEC is so important to the
terrorism at home and Pakistani government, these projects' construction sites and
abroad is a threat to engineering personnel may become targets for religious as
well as nationalist extremists. Indeed, there already have been
CPEC numerous occasions when Chinese engineers working in
Pakistan have been attacked or even lost their lives. In May
2016, for instance, engineers in Karachi were attacked by
( 103 WORDS) Sindh separatists. Fortunately, no Chinese personnel was
wounded or killed.
 • As an economic enterprise, for the CPEC, the greatest
challenge comes from competitors. The most significant is
PARA 10 the. India intends to invest significantly in the development of
Chabahar, which lies a few miles away from Gwadar and is
part of its efforts for access to land-locked Afghanistan and
International Central Asia while bypassing rival Pakistan. Chabahar will
effectively be a way station for energy imports coming from
the Gulf region and destined for Afghanistan and Central
Iranian port of Chabahar Asia. It will also be a gateway to the Middle East, and
possibly Europe, for exports originating from Afghanistan
Funded by India to and Central Asia. While the Chabahar project has not yet
compete for CPEC been started, the American sanctions are the biggest threat to
its construction. The Gwadar port has already become
functional. However, there is no need for contention between
( 164 WORDS) these two ports. Iran has a stake in the CPEC through the
proposal to link the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline with China,
which has been described as a "common interest" between the
three countries.
 • Africa is one of the resource-rich yet unexplored areas of the
PARA 11 world. The continent is in the hold of absolute poverty. China
plans not only to access the energy resources from the middle
4-Prospects for CPEC east and CAR's, but it is also ambitious to avail of the cheap
labour and resources of Africa. China would be facilitated
through CPEC, and so will Pakistan be. Africa is now said to
Access to Africa for new be china's china which means that China would develop
economic adventures Africa as it has been developed by America and Europe due
to cheap labour. The industrial, technological, and economic
development of this continent would bring a revolution in
(118 WORDS) world trade. And this would only be possible through the
shortest route of CPEC.
 PARA 12
• China-Pakistan Economic Corridor plan will help Pakistan to
become one of the most strategically important countries in
4-Prospects for CPEC the region. It will also provide an opportunity for China to
build a naval base on the Gwadar port that will increase the
China and Pakistan would influence of China in the region and also counter US
become strategically influence in the Asia-Pacific region. The CBS News quoted
some Western diplomats on Pakistan-China partnership.
important countries According to them, China's increasing economic engagement
with Pakistan should be seen in the context of Beijing's
"efforts to counter the US efforts to deepen alliances around
( 95 WORDS) the Asia-Pacific region.
 PARA 13 • Pakistan has been playing a significant role in South Asia.
After the completion of the China Pakistan Economic
4-Prospects for CPEC Corridor economic, the geostrategic environment will
improve in Pakistan. It will help Pakistan in dealing with the
Enhancement of regional problems of poverty, unemployment, and inequities of
and international value undeveloped provinces. It would prove to be a game-changer
in the whole region by generating massive trade and
of Pakistan economic activity and opening new vistas of progress and
prosperity for the people of the two countries and about three
billion people of the region. The stronger the economy the
( 102 WORDS) more influential Pakistan would become.
 • CPEC is an under-construction mega-project that will achieve
PARA 14
4-Prospects for CPEC
Opening of new avenues
of connectivity and trade
( 120 WORDS)
the political and economic objectives through trade and
development and will also strengthen the economic and trade
cooperation between the two countries. China and Pakistan
have developed strong bilateral trade and economic ties and
cooperation over the years. China has gradually emerged as
Pakistan's major trading partner both in terms of exports and
imports. This Corridor will also help create regional stability
in South Asia. After completion of the Corridor, it will
function as a primary gateway for trade between China and
Africa and the Middle East. It is expected that this Corridor
will help cut the 12,000-kilometre route which Middle East
oil supplies must now take to reach the Chinese ports
 PARA 15 • After the completion of CPEC, Pakistan may become a trade
4-Prospects for CPEC hub in the region after Gwadar Port starts functioning fully
and duty-free economic zones are set up. Many Central Asian
states have also expressed interest in becoming part of the
The shift of Central Corridor. This strategic partnership between Pakistan and
Asian Republics towards China has upset India that openly voiced its opposition, and
Pakistan rather than even premier Narendra Modi pressed the president of China
during his visit to Beijing to drop the plan of developing the
India Corridor. However, China did not cave in to the pressure and
( 98 WORDS) vowed to push ahead with work on the project.
 • CPEC from all counts will prove a game-changer and will
make China a real stakeholder in Pakistan's stability and
PARA 16 security. It is a win-win situation for both. It will greatly
4-Prospects for CPEC expand the scope for the sustainable and stable development
of China's economic development. Investments by China will
The economic boost Pakistan's GDP. Corresponding progress and prosperity
in Pakistan and China's patronage will help Pakistan in
development of Pakistan getting rid of the decade-old labels of 'epicentre of terrorism',
'most dangerous country', and a 'failing state'. China's
( 108 WORDS) economic and military assistance will help Pakistan a great
deal in narrowing its ever-widening gap in economic military-
nuclear fields with India and in bettering its defence potential.
 PARA 17 • The setting up of energy, transport, infrastructure, and
industrial projects under the China-Pakistan Economic
Corridor (CPEC) would benefit all the provinces of Pakistan.
4-Prospects for CPEC The CPEC is not limited to just a road, but it will connect the
country with some motorways and infrastructure projects.
All Provinces of The infrastructure projects included Gwadar port, the second
phase of the upgrading project of Karakoram Highway,
Pakistan would become motorway project between Karachi and Lahore, Thakot-
revenue-generating units Havelian motorway, Gwadar port expressway, Gwadar
international airport, and Karachi-Sukkur motorway, adding
( 95 WORDS) further that the project will increase collaboration in areas of
energy, finance, commerce, banking, industry, and education.
 PARA 18
• CPEC is the crown jewel in the new Pakistan economic
paradigm because Pakistan has the opportunity to act
4-Prospects for CPEC independently of western influence, especially the US
influence as it has proved of late, an irritant factor. CPEC
End of western influence project will also bring an opportunity to Pakistan for
on Pakistan normalization of ties with India, Iran, and Afghanistan which
will keep balance, strengthen prospects of peace and improve
the socio-economic status of the people of the region.
( 72 WORDS)
 • CPEC is a game-changer project which will lift millions of
Pakistanis out of poverty and misery. The project embraces
the construction of the textile garments, industrial park
projects, construction of dams, the installation of nuclear
CONCLUSION reactors and creating networks of road, a railway line that will
generate employment, and people will also take ownership of
these projects. Fully equipped hospitals, technical and
( 112 WORDS) vocational training institutes, water supply, and distribution in
undeveloped areas will also improve the quality of life of
people. Although at present, Pakistan and China are faced
with national and international challenges in completing this
mega project yet upon its completion, the benefits would be
much more than the sufferings.