China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: The initial euphoria of China Pakistan Economic Corridor is waning fast over time. Serious doubts are being raised about the hyped futuristic project of China. The development emanates from China’s dampened spirits over Islamabad’s inability to thwart destabilizing forces in Baluchistan who with their violent protest have cast gloom on the future of CPEC. Besides, the severe trust factor in Pakistan is also chasing the Chinese who have invested heavily in this very vital project. Although Pakistan may be viewing China as an ‘all weather ally’ China means business with outright control.
The much-touted China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor may have been successful in generating adequate hype in the past, but some acrimonious incidents have created a deep scar in the minds of the devious Chinese establishments. The recent visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to Beijing failed to re-ignite the ties between the two nations. And as such, it looks unlikely that the ‘revitalization of the China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor’ would continue on the expected lines. The terrorist attacks and killings of the Chinese nationals engaged in the CPEC project have further angered Beijing, which is circumspect of Pakistan’s capability in providing safety and security to their personnel.
Black-out country Pakistan got adequate electricity from CPEC
CPEC is equally significant for Pakistan’s growth and development as it is for China. CPEC has been able to generate adequate electricity for black-out Pakistan where 16-hour load-shedding had become a normal practice. Besides, thousands of kilometres of highways have been constructed in far-flung areas. Pakistan on its part was expected to build 9 ‘Special Economic Zones’ which never saw the light, and the expectations remained on paper owing to its financial penury. The ill-conceived idea of establishing Chinese Companies in the ‘Special Economic Zones’ got a rude shock and now they have started shifting to viable nations where they can build and function seamlessly.
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Apart from the inordinate delay in the progress of the CPEC, the Covid-19 pandemic coupled with political instability, absence of policies and non-ease of doing business has been responsible for the CPEC’s slowdown.
All aligned projects shelved and seems unlikely to restart
The former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan has cast serious concern over the momentum and future of CPEC as no fresh announcements have been made about the various aligned projects, which had been stalled for no reasons known to Pakistani authorities. There is no inkling about the hard-selling multi-billion dollar ML-1 Railway project, which seems shelved now.
There is another aspect to ponder upon. Pakistan has recommended the scrapping of the China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor (CPEC) authority to which China agreed. The scrapping of CPEC authority does not bode well for the Belt and Road initiative.
Baluchistan angle is a grave impediment
The Baluchistan angle is another grave impediment to the project taking further shape. The Baloch have expressed serious concern together with anger that turned violent in the recent past, for the apathy of the Pakistani government in addressing their genuine problems. The Balochi residents have been rendered unemployed with no economic growth, but the region’s abundant natural resources have been brutally exploited by Pakistan.
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The security concerns of ‘Chinese Nationals’ required focused attention from Pakistan. Although Pakistan has deployed over 15000 armed forces to protect their lifeline project, China is not impressed.
Common Pakistanis are irked against their masters for selling their country’s interest and pushing them into a debt-trap
Apart from that, severe resentment is brewing up among common Pakistani Nationals as they understand the folly of their political and military masters who have pushed them into a debt trap, and it seems highly unlikely that they can get rid of it.
Altogether, the much-flaunted CPEC is facing severe rough weather but torrid times are ahead for Pakistan, as China has always proved to be a very shrewd partner – it will manage to extricate its pound of flesh.
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