Chapter 2

Pakistan’s External and Internal Factors Leading towards CPEC

2.1 Introduction

Theoretically, foreign policy is always based on national objectives to gain national

interests through interactions with other states. But do the complexity of the world today it is not

only the national objectives that play a key role in the formation of foreign policy practically but

also the international environment as well. To gain the strategic and economic objectives for the

sustainability and the correct interpretation of available natural resources within the state and

prospects available beyond the state boundaries both are required. Keep in view, we can broadly

categorize elements that lead to the formation of foreign policy into two categories i.e. external

and internal. These broad categories also help us to understand why Pakistan had opted for the

CPEC in 2015 and how its foreign policy is focused on CPEC and such more economic

initiatives.

Pakistan’s foreign policy had been security centric, the primary motivation was to

achieve reasonable military equilibrium with India, for the survival by aligning with the west to

redress its defense vulnerabilities. As Pakistan and India right after the independence engage in a

war over the issue of Kashmir, it had has been a boon of contention among both. Since

independence, Pakistan’s foreign policy can be divided into seven phases (each discussed in

detail later in the chapter).

Internally, Pakistan has facing many challenges but the major and most effective had

been the issue of Baluchistan, it is one of the oldest ones and with time it has been deep routed

that could have harmed the nationalism and national priorities of Pakistan. The military

operations there, after the threat of terrorism intensified the situation. It was important for
17
Pakistan to brought some economic initiatives there to deal with the deep routed concerns of the

people of Baluchistan, as Baluchistan has its own very much significance in form of geo-

strategic, political and natural resources.

2.2 Pakistan’s Foreign Policy: A revisit

After the independence, the founding father of Pakistan ‘Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali

Jinnah’ described the core principles of Pakistan’s foreign policy by categorically stating:

(February 1948). 37

Our foreign policy is one of the friendliness and goodwill towards all the nations of the
world. We do not cherish aggressive designs against any country or nation. We believe in
the principle of honesty and fair-play in national and international dealings, and are
prepared to make our contribution to the promotion of peace and prosperity among the
nations of the world. Pakistan will never be found lacking in extending its material and
moral support to the oppressed and suppressed peoples of the world and in upholding the
principles of the United Nations Charter.
The historical perspective of Pakistan’s foreign policy falls in seven broad phases. The

first period covers the time from the inception to 1952 when Pakistan adopted the policy of the

Non-Align Movement (NAM) in its foreign policy. The second phase starts from 1952 to the

1965 war. During this period Pakistan allied itself with the West by joining the Baghdad Pact

and its successor i.e. Central Treaty Organization (CENTO), and Southeast Asia Treaty

Organization (SEATO). The third phase runs from 1965 to the 1971 crisis in East Pakistan38.

During the fourth phase from 1971 to 1989, Pakistan remained engaged in rebuilding itself and

facing the challenge of the Soviet military intervention in neighboring Afghanistan, which lasted

37
Prefiguring the doctrine of non-alignment, the Quaid-i-Azam, stated that in his broadcast talk to the people of
the USA in February 1948. Retrieved from:
http://m-a-jinnah.blogspot.com/2010/05/quaid-e-azam-and-pakistans-foreign.html
38
“Pakistan Foreign Policy,”
http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/APCITY/UNPAN018848.pdf

18
for over a decade since 1979, and has spawned a conflict that continues to ravage Afghanistan39.

The fifth phase covers the period from 1990 to the nuclear tests of May 1998. The sixth Phase in

Pakistan's foreign policy was the Post 9/11 i.e. Pakistan’s foreign policy in the new millennium.

In which its effort for Counter-terrorism (CT), Counter-insurgency (COIN) and Stabilization

(STAB) was in the main focus externally and internally in Pakistan. The seventh and most recent

change and shift in Pakistan’s foreign policy is observed after 2013.40

2.2.1 Establishing a Foreign Policy

The basic guiding principles of Pakistan's foreign policy was laid down by the founding

father ‘Quaid e Azam’ then. The statement was the official stance of Pakistan’s foreign policy. 41

Thus newly establish Muslim countries developed good relations with Pakistan and it supported

the freedom moments of other states such as Indonesia, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Eritrea

against colonial powers. the international relations were at the beginning of the cold war between

the USA and the USSR. Pakistan decided not to support anyone and opted for the NAM.

Pakistan doesn’t want to part of global politics as a new state it had much work to do internally.

Pakistan started its relations with neighbor countries including India on peace note. But Indian

expansionist approach towards the princely states of Junagadh, Hyderabad especially Jammu and

Kashmir posse threat to Pakistan. Afghanistan also questioning the credibility of Durand line

now when Britishers left and Pakistan is established as it was agreed on the boundary between

Britisher and Afghans.42

39
Shahid Amin M, “Pakistan’s Foreign Policy: A Reappraisal.,” (Second Edition) Oxford, (New York: Oxford
University Press), 2010.
40
Beenish Sultan, COIN and CT: A Prism of Stability and Peace Building Efforts, Islamabad: NDU, June 2018
41
M.A.H. Isphani, Quaid-i-Azam Jinnah, As I knew him, Karachi: Royal Book Company, 1976, 273-274.
42
Shahid Amin M, “Pakistan’s Foreign Policy: A Reappraisal,” Oxford University Press, 2010.

19
2.2.2 Alignment with the West

All the security issues and Pakistan’s quest for stability along with evolving intensity of

the Cold War lead its alignment towards the West. In 1950 Pakistani Prime Minister offered a

visit from both First Russia later USA, he accepted USA visit with a stance of preferring US over

Russia irrespective of Russian help to Pakistan against Indian threat in previous years. US to

counter communism threat in South Asia and Pakistan to deal with the security threats from

India led to the PAK-US partnership. That formed a Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement

concluded in 1954 according to that US will provide modern war training to Pak armed forces.

Pakistan also singed the Mutual defense agreement with US and Middle Eastern states namely

SEATO and CENTA in 1954 and 1955 respectively.43 By these mutual agreements, US wanted

to confront Soviet expansion in the Middle East and South Asia while in response Pakistan

received military and economic assistance. Pakistan also allowed US to use its territory to spy on

Russia. But the situation has changed during the War of 1965, US did not support Pakistan

against Indian aggression.44 The situation got worse when US imposed military economic

embargoes on Pakistan in the post war phase. Contrary to this, Pakistan had developed good

relations with China, in 1962 with an agreement. The reason for developing better Relations was

the Sino-Indian war and China helped Pakistan against Indian aggression in 1965’s war.

2.2.3 Transition from West to East

In early 1960s Pakistan and China develop good mutual understanding. US being in

defense agreement in Pakistan against aggression (which was against communism according to

43
Farhat Asif, “Pakistan’s Foreign Policy: Transition, Prospects and Perspectives,” The News, 14 Aug 2018, retrieved
from: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/355063-pakistan-s-foreign-policy-transition-prospects-and-perspectives
44
Muhammad Subtain, Mazher Hussain, Anwar Farooq, Mumtaz Khan, ”Dimensions of Pakistan's Foreign Policy:
From inception to the 9/11 incident (1947-2001)-An analytical study,” International Journal of Multidisciplinary
Research and Development, volume 3, issue 4, April 2016, P.61-65

20
US while Pakistan perceives it also extend against India) helped India during the Sino-Indian war

of 1962. It brought China and Pakistan close due to a common regional enemy. Soviet also

expanding a hand of friendship with Pakistan by offering credit and technical assistance and oil

exploration in 1961, irrespective of Pakistan allowing US its territory to spy i.e. U-2 plane taken

off from Badaber, Peshawar.45 When US imposed embargoes on Pakistan in post-war phase

Pakistan had to explore East for cooperation. The PM and President visited Moscow in January

and April 1965 respectively, resulted in Soviet assistance to Pakistan in 30 development projects

under the “3rd Five-Year Plan” during 1965-70. 46 Moscow maintained a balance on stance over

Kashmir and during the 1965 war of India and Pakistan, importantly played a constructive role in

post-war phase. With the help of Soviet, both India and Pakistan concluded an agreement in

1966 named Tashkent agreement. Pakistan and China also enhanced their relations rapidly,

Pakistan supported China in efforts to counterbalance US attempt of isolating China in the

international community resulted in Chines full support on Kashmir’s right of self-determination

against Indian aggression.47

2.2.4 War of 1971 and aftermaths

The war of 1971 affected most Pakistan, internally and externally. As a result of war a

wing of Pakistan was separated, that wing that had been generating huge revenue for Pakistan.

While Pakistan's attack on Indian from west Pakistan to protect East Pakistan make it an

aggressor in the international community. But after the war, Pakistan under the leadership of

President Z. A. Bhutto made significant headways. Pakistan withdrew from the commonwealth

45
Muhammad Subtain, Mazher Hussain, ”Dimensions of Pakistan's Foreign Policy,” International Journal of
Multidisciplinary Research and Development, P.63
46
Ibid
47
Abdul Sattar, Pakistan's Foreign Policy 1947-2009: A Concise History (2nd Edition), Karachi: Oxford University
Press, 2010, 9-12

21
and SEATO in 1972 and CENTO in 1979 to join NAM moment. A renewal effort to establish

foreign policy with East European, Asian, African and South & Central American states were

done. Simla Accord was signed between Pakistan and India to restore diplomatic relations and in

response to the agreement, Pakistan’s 90,000+ army personals were release from India, which

were the prisoners of war of 1971.48 In 1974 Pakistan hosted the Organization of Islamic

Cooperation (OIC) summit in Islamabad which helped in improving image of Pakistan, that it

could play an important role in the Muslim world. Moscow agreed to provide loan to Pakistan

for economic recovery after the war. In 1976 Pakistan and France concluded an agreement to

acquire the nuclear reprocessing plant, the US withdrew its A-7 aircraft offer which was dew for

1977 and suspended economic assistance and military sales to Pakistan in order to prevent

Islamabad from establishing uranium-enrichment facilities. Eventually, US convinced France to

withdraw from the deal in 1978. 49

2.2.5 Afghan War Phase

In 1979 a drastic change cause shifts the internal politics all sudden i.e. Soviet invasion of

Afghanistan in December 1979. Once again the US was compelled to establish a strong

partnership with Pakistan to defeat Red Army in Afghanistan. Pakistan was also scared of

Russian expansionism. Thus CIA and ISIS (with close coordination) prepare rafts of fighters,

train them and send them to Afghanistan to help in fighting with Afghans against Red Army.

From next decade Pakistan became the 2nd largest recipient of American aid, after Israel. Soviet

forces were defeated in Afghanistan in 1988, but the war in neighbor and involvement of

Pakistan had its severe consequences on Pakistan regarding the security and economic

48
Archive, “India to Release 90,000 Pakistanis in Peace Accord” The New York Time, Aug 29 1973, accessed at 15
Nav 2019, retrieved from : https://www.nytimes.com/1973/08/29/archives/india-to-release-90000-pakistanis-in-
peace-accord-hardsought.html
49
Abdul Sattar, Pakistan's Foreign Policy 1947-2009: A Concise History, P. 9-12

22
condition.50 The internal military coup and implementation of Islamiclization within Pakistan of

General Zia ul Haq cause brain drain of Pakistan, a very vibrant civil society of Pakistan were

severely suppressed. All the internal external environment ended into the proliferation of

weapons and fanning of religious extremism and militancy throughout the country. Hence in this

phase, Pakistan’s foreign policy was revolving around the Afghan War.51

2.2.6 Post-Cold War Phase

The Soviet Union withdrew from Afghanistan under the Geneva Accord in 1988. Once

the war ended US began raising accusations on Pakistan’s nuclear program. And responded in

the form of embargoes and cancel the existing deals.52 However, after Benazir Bhutto’s visit to

the US, the Clinton administration removed the embargoes on Pakistan and gave military

supplies worth 368 million USD to Islamabad under the Brown Amendment of 1995.53 During

the same period, the Indo-Pak relations also took a downward spiral over the simmering unrest in

Kashmir. When New Delhi massively rigged 1987 elections in the Valley, the Kashmiris took to

streets and demonstrated against the blatant rigging. To silence the protesters, India resorted to

employing brute force, thus instigating the Kashmiris to forcefully resist the Indian oppression.

New Delhi accused Pakistan of orchestrating the instability in the Valley and requested the US to

suspend the supply of aircraft and economic assistance to Islamabad. However, India and

Pakistan agreed on a framework for peaceful interaction when Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari

Vajpayee visited Lahore in February 1999. But, the spirit of the Lahore Declaration was ruined

50
Abdul Sattar, Pakistan's Foreign Policy 1947-2009: A Concise History, P. 9-12
51
Muhammad Muzaffar, Zahid Yaseen and Uroosa Ishfaq, “Pakistan’s Foreign Policy: Initial Perspectives and
Stages,” Global Regional Review (GRR), vol 1. No. 1, 2016 P. 61-74
52
A Z Hilali, “Costs and Benefits of Afghan War for Pakistan,” retrieved from :
http://www.khyber.org/publications/pages/CostsandBenefitsofAfghanWarfor.shtml
53
“A New Beginning in US-Pakistan Relations,” The Nation, January 25, 1998 Retrieved from :
http://www.ishtiaqahmad.com/item_display.aspx?listing_id=689&listing_type=1

23
when the two countries got engaged in a limited war in Kargil during May-July in 1999. It is

pertinent to mention here that Pakistan’s backing of the Afghan Taliban in the 1990s strained the

Pak-Iran relations, thereby making Iran fall into the Indian lapse. At that time, both Iran and

India were immersed in backing up non-Pashtun groups to prevent the Taliban from taking over

Kabul.54 It was most diverse phase of Pakistan’s foreign policy as it was facing many challenges,

internal, regional, and extra regional. As the efforts for nuclear weapons were its core issue as

India was expected to test its nuclear weapon at any time. Pakistan wanted to do the same after

India, to maintain the balance of power between them. Taliban’s government in Afghanistan

facing challenges of civil war while Pakistan was supporting Taliban since Soviet invasion. 55

2.2.7 Post 9/11 Phase

Just like Soviet invasion in Afghanistan changed Pakistan's geostrategic value for the

world all of sudden. Similarly, the 9/11 attack again changed the circumstances and US again

alleged to establish close relations with Pakistan to deal with the threat of Taliban in the region

and globally. Pakistan worked as a front line state for the US, to lead global war on terror against

Taliban. When Pakistan had been busy fighting global war on terror on its western border being

ally of US, India tried to escalate tension on eastern border but Pakistan had US support in the

phase to deal with Indian aggression and military standoff were called off in 2001 and 2004. The

phase continues till 2008 when Pakistani army was in a continuous war against terrorism

54
Ayaz Ahmed, “70 Years of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy, A Critical Appraisa,.” Monthly Magzine, Jahangir’s World
Times, September 8, 2017. http://jworldtimes.com/jwt2015/magazine-archives/jwt2017/sep2017/70-years-of-
pakistans-foreign-policy-a-critical-appraisal/.
55
Muhammad Muzaffar, Zahid Yaseen and Uroosa Ishfaq, “Pakistan’s Foreign Policy: Initial Perspectives and
Stages,” P. 61-74

24
internally and externally. Internally it had a number of operations, including Zarb-e-Azb, Rad-ul-

Fassad etc.56

2.2.8 Post War on Terror Phase

The post war on terror phases stared from 2008 -2013 had been the worst diplomatic

years regarding foreign policy in which Pakistan had been facing failures. The regional and

global war on terror came from the boundaries of Pakistan to within Pakistan and the world had

been criticizing the role of Pakistan in it while India had been focusing on isolate Pakistan in

international community. The internal ethnic violence and terrorism had been on its peak. Both

civil and military leadership did efforts of renewal of Pak-Russia relations. High profile visits to

Moscow played a vital role.57 But there was a realization that fighting other wars will not lead

Pakistan towards progress. As US had been giving immense aid to Pakistan whenever Pakistan

had been the front line for US in fighting a war, but after the war, it had blamed Pakistan for all

of its wrongdoings i.e. after Afghan War, after WoT etc. thus it leads Pakistan to no other option

but to work on its own economic ventures, and set itself free from the dependence of foreign aid.

2.2.9 Commercial Interests Spearheaded Economic Initiative

The democratic dispensation under the PML-N during the premiership of Nawaz Sharif

achieved two major objectives on the foreign policy front. Firstly, the country has received the

full membership of the SCO that will tremendously help Pakistan work with China, Russia and

Central Asian Republics in combating the three evils of extremism, terrorism and separatism in

the region.58 Secondly, China has decided to invest around $60 billion through the China-

56
Ayaz Ahmed, “70 Years of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy, A Critical Appraisal,” Jahangir’s World Times
57
Ibid
58
“It is a Historic Day: Pakistan becomes full Member of SCO at Astana Summit,” Dawn, on June 09, 2017 Retrieved
from : https://www.dawn.com/news/1338471

25
Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for upgrading Pakistan’s transport infrastructure and energy

sector. Both successes will make the country a trade hub in the region. Afghanistan had

reservations regarding CPEC and role of Pakistan regarding peace in Afghanistan, but over the

period of 4-5 years now Afghanistan has shown interest in CPEC and relations between Pakistan

and Afghanistan could have developed constructively.59 India had been focusing on isolating

Pakistan in international community,60 US continued its blame game on Pakistan but some

European countries have recognized Pakistan’s efforts in combating terrorism, tourism is been

restoring, northern area of Pakistan is becoming an attractive tourist destination for Pakistan’s

and internal tourists as well.61 The Modi Sarkar in India possess challenges to Pakistan in recent

years, there is an escalation of human rights violation in Kashmir, there had been efforts from

India to create militancy in Baluchistan as Indian Spy has been captured there. Yet Pakistan is

open to resolving all its issues with India via table talks.

2.3 A Comparison of Pakistan Foreign Policy Pre and Post 2013

The quest for security of Pakistan was inherent in it during independence due to the

unbalanced distribution of resources. Soon Pakistan had its first war in 1947 with India on the

issue of Kashmir. That enhances its need to secure a defense agreement to deter India. Thus

Pakistan was left with no other option but to aligned with the West to ensure sovereignty and

stability. The world was stepping into the cold war between US and then USSR. Pakistan had

decided to utilize its geo-strategical location in the evolving international politics. The internal

59
Iram Khalid, “Pakistan Foreign Policy: Evolution Development and Strategies”, Lahore: Peace Publications, 2013,
43.
60
News, “India says will ensure 'complete isolation' of Pakistan after worst terror attack under Modi,” The Straits
times, on 15 Feb 2019 Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/india-says-will-ensure-
complete-diplomatic-isolation-of-pakistan-after-worst-attack
61
Syeda Safina Malik, “The future of tourism in Pakistan,” Daily Times, 28 Sep 2019 retrieved from
https://dailytimes.com.pk/474675/the-future-of-tourism-in-pakistan/

26
environment such as uneven distribution of resources, the military upheaval soon after the

interdependence and economic issues along with the external factors such as Indian hostility,

cold war, nuclear proliferation, USSR invasion in Afghanistan and eventually Taliban’s 9/11

attack on US, all factors forced Pakistan to align with West for the mutual benefit. In that way, it

secures its sovereignty against Indian hostility and got US support in the time of crisis. On the

other side, Pakistan became a frontline state against the communist threat in Afghanistan for

almost a decade, then later after the 9/11 attack, it again played its role as a frontline state for

almost 14 years against Taliban.62 Thus, Pakistan’s foreign policy had been security-oriented

since its independence for a very long period. But Pakistan relations with US were never stable,

there are two perspectives regarding Pakistan relation with US i.e. Pakistan has always been

under sanctions by US unless it had some agenda to achieve in the region from Pakistan other

perspective is Pakistan enjoys good relations with US but State put it under sanctions whenever

it drives against US polices. Whichever the perspective is, the US always uses its carrot and stick

approach towards Pakistan. Once President Obama seeks for the safe exit from the war on terror,

he did Abbottabad operations and claimed to kill the Osama bin Laden, the US started blaming

Pakistan for playing a double role in war on terror, especially since President Trump is in office.

Pakistan has achieved security from external threat since it acquires nuclear weapons. It poses

minimum credible deterrence to the state that shows aggression against the sovereignty of

Pakistan. Its alliance with the west possesses many onuses regarding its relations within the

region and beyond. 63

62
Sajeela Yousaf and Shaista Tabassum, “Foreign Policy of Pakistan: Challenges and Opportunities”, Journal of
Independent Study and Research (JISR), volume 1, number 2, 2003.
63
Ibid

27
 Thus it revives its foreign policy since 2013 when it got an opportunity of CPEC. It offers

a project like CPEC because of the geostrategic location. Pakistan’s geo-strategy made it a zipper

state that can connect different states. Thus CPEC provides an opportunity for Pakistan to

established astonishing relations with the neighboring countries in the region and beyond. Since

2013 it already revived its better relations with China, Russia and Turkey. It is also evolving its

good relations with Iran, Afghanistan and SCO member countries. These relations of Pakistan

with other nations are developing on trade and cooperation with cause mutual interdependency

that leads to collective progress.64

2.4 Internal factor leading towards CPEC

Baluchistan is the biggest and naturally richest province of Pakistan, with immense geo-

political and geo-strategical significance. In contemporary world, the regional connectivity for

trade is vital to compete for the emerging trade wars and to survive in the evolving economic

complex interdependence due to regionalization and globalization. Hence, the Baluchistan,

vigorous integral part of Pakistan, links it with Middle East and Central Asia while its natural

deep-sea port Gwadar extends its outreach in the Indian Ocean.65 Recently, Gwadar became the

center of gravity not only for Pakistan but also for the region as well. Altogether, Baluchistan

with immense natural resources and significant geographic and geo-strategic location remained

the least developed province of Pakistan until now.66 Furthermore, its resources have been

64
“CPEC to Strengthen Regional Integration: World Bank Report,” The News, 21 March 2019, retrieved from :
https://nation.com.pk/21-Mar-2019/cpec-to-strengthen-regional-integration-world-bank-report
65
“Gwadar Offers Opportunity for Middle East, Africa, Central Asia to Re-Establish Trading Routes,” The News, on
Sep 2, 2018, Retrieved from:
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/362628-gwadar-offers-opportunity-for-middle-east-africa-central-asia-to-re-
establish-trading-routes
66
Zareen Dashti, “Why Pakistan’s Richest Province Remains Backward,” Sharnoff’s Global Views, on Dec 29, 2014,
Retrieved from:
https://www.sharnoffsglobalviews.com/pakistans-province-backward-456/

28
exploited at the local and national level by both local Sardars and national political elite,

respectively.

The evolutionary progress of other regions except Baluchistan heated the grievances

within the Baloch people i.e. relative deprivation67. These grievances were then channelized by

the Sardars and Political elites of the region to acquire their political goals from the federal

government. It started a process of militances within the region against the government. The

response of federal government towards the militancy had further increased the issue instead of

its resolution. The Pakistan federal government faced many shifts from military coup (i.e. 1958,

1999, 1977, 2001) to elected government, alternatively68. Each type of government tried to

handle the situation accordingly. The dictator tried to suppress the militancy by forces which

created a sense of reservation within the Baloch people towards security forces. The elected

government tried to handle the situation by negotiating with Sardars or tribal heads and provided

them political incentives. A wholesome approach to resolve the Baluchistan issue was never

adopted therefore, a series of militances took place there.69

In contemporary era, the situation is far more complex when the indigenous efforts of

Baloch people for their basic rights are Jumbled with the feudal lords’ astute efforts of political

gains along with the role of foreign actors to deteriorate the internal strength and national

harmony of Pakistan.

67
Relative deprivation refers to inequality: the idea that people are deprived (materially or in other ways)
compared with others in society. Accessed at: https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/topics/relative-deprivation
68
Muhammad Saeed Akhtar, “Martial Law in Pakistan,” Business Recorder, 08 Oct 2018 Retrieved from
https://fp.brecorder.com/2011/10/201110081239755/
69
Ibid

29
2.4.1 Significance of Baluchistan

Baluchistan is the largest province of Pakistan by area. It covers 347,190 Km2 area of

Pakistan (i.e. 44% of the total area) with 12.34 million inhabitants70. Baluchistan, a province in

Southwestern Pakistan, is becoming increasingly important in regional affairs. The region gained

foreign investors’ attention since the discovery of huge natural minerals valuable reserves.

In addition, Baluchistan's geo-strategy is an ideal location for the infrastructure

development for economic activity because it interlinks the Middle East, Central Asia and South

Asia. The construction of a deep-sea port in Gwadar, could reinforce the potential of region and

drive regional attention and focus on Baluchistan. From a geopolitical point of view, Baluchistan

is vital as it is considered a nerve center due to its connectivity outreach to South Asia, Central

Asia and the Persian Gulf. It is located next to the Persian Gulf, only 180 nautical miles from the

Strait of Hormuz, which is the source of 20% of the world's oil and is the biggest trading route of

the world.71 Baluchistan has become an epicenter of international importance; it also provides the

shortest route to connect Central Asia with warm waters for trade.72 Rekodiq in Chagai is the

fourth-largest gold and copper deposit in the world and is also known as “Hillock of Gold”. It

has been proven that reserves of around 260 bn USD have been buried under Rekodiq due to the

large copper and gold reserves, while pipelines of oil and gas are passing through it, made it not

omitted yet.73

70
“Information on Balochistan,” Pakistan Information, accessed on Feb 18, 2019, Retrieved from
http://www.pakinformation.com/balochistan/index.html
71
Zafarullah Barech, “Balochistan: Foreign Interests,” DAWN News, on Dec 12, 2018, Retrieved from
https://www.dawn.com/news/1150301
72
Ibid
73
“Geopolitical and Strategic Importance of Balochistan,” Balochistan Voices on June 26, 2018 retrieved from:
http://balochistanvoices.com/2018/06/geopolitical-and-strategic-importance-of-balochistan/

30
 Following are the few reasons why Baluchistan is so important geopolitically: 74

1. Strategic Location: Baluchistan has an enviable location in South Asia. It has a coastline

stretched from the Arabian Sea to the Persian Gulf with a natural deep seaport in Gwadar.

By controlling this region one can have an upper hand in South-Asia as well as in the

Middle East

2. Gwadar Port: Gwadar is a port city in Balochistan that has natural docking potential.

But nowadays, China and Pakistan collectively modernizing and upgrading the port

facilities in Gwadar. Once completed, it will be a major game-changer in the region, not

only economically but also strategically. With this port, China will have direct access to

the Middle East via CPEC. CPEC will connect China’s Xinjiang province with Gwadar

port. Most transporting linkages of the CPEC are passing through Baluchistan. This new

corridor will clearly reduce the transportation cost of crude from Middle East to China.

CPEC will be a lot more efficient than the traditional Indian Ocean route for China.

3. Natural Resources: Province is naturally enriched, natural resources have discovered

including: Gold, Black Pearl, Oil, Coal, Chromite, Natural Gas and other Valuable Stones

are on the top of the list with total worth over 1 trillion USD.

It is not surprising, given the current energy crisis that Pakistan's energy security is now at

the forefront of national priorities. Pakistan’s economy is one of the world’s most dependent on

natural gas which accounts for approximately 50% of Pakistan's total energy consumption. Two-

thirds of Pakistan's total natural gas reserves are located in Baluchistan. While Baluchistan

74
“What is the Geopolitical Importance of Balochistan?” Quora, Retrieved from
https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-geopolitical-importance-of-Balochistan

31
accounts for about 40% of Pakistan's energy need by natural gas production and it only

consumes 17% of it.75

The current unstable environment is a constant constraint in the development and growth

of the Baluchistan. Although the regional interest and national policies conflict with the

prevailing situations of Baluchistan but both can be achieved only with prosper and peaceful

Baluchistan. The strategic importance of Baluchistan lies in its potential to become the spearhead

of development in South Asia or the epicenter of the next major multinational conflict.76

Baluchistan is very unstable for the interests of Pakistan; its instability is the original challenge

that requires systematic perseverance. A policy must be developed quickly to achieve desirable

results. A systematic approach in every prospect is needed to create an environment for peace,

stability and prosperity in this region. We should also develop close relations with neighboring

countries (bordering with Baluchistan) because stability and peace can only be achieved if the

borders are well controlled and secured. We cannot ignore the neighboring states because it is the

fact that they are important actors in our foreign policy. This becomes even more important when

we know that the future of many international pipelines depends heavily on our good relations

with Iran.77

2.5 Internal Security Challenges before CPEC

Baluchistan with all its significance is one of the biggest challenges that Pakistan faces in

order to ensure the long-term stability of the region. The origin of the issue goes back to the 15th

75
Maha Rehman, “The Curious Case of Pakistan's Natural Gas Crisis,” Herald, on Jan 21, 2019, retrieved from
https://herald.dawn.com/news/1398784
76
Jason R. Murtha, “The Strategic Importance of Balochistan,” Research Gate on June 2011
Reterived from:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235105511_The_Strategic_Importance_of_Balochistan
77
Ibid

32