China Pakistan Economic Corridor: Its Prospects and Implications for Gwadar and Balochistan

Abstract

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a multibillion-dollar project of direct investment in a corridor of energy and infrastructure. Besides, there are good potential prospects like the construction of port and road facilities, airports, and energy corridors. It has implications for Balochistan and Gwadar. Although previous studies have highlighted the problems of Balochistan, this paper presents a theoretical framework with reference to the economic corridor. The study has a hypothesis: Baloch people have some reservations about multi-purpose projects. It has impacted the geographic and demographic profile of Balochistan. Other projects are waiting for consideration, such as those related to the water shortage, technical and vocational centers, and employment opportunities. The purpose of this study is to examine the implications and prospects. Every project should aim to facilitate the local masses. The government should shrink dependency and focus on imports, trade imbalances, and foreign loans to resurface its image for elections. It has been discovered that CPEC will cause social change and stratification, as well as Communist influence on minds and effects on aquatic life at Gwadar Harbor. The study suggests: 7% of Gwadar Port Authority revenue for Gwadar and Balochistan; job quotas; parity; public-private partnerships; etc. Finally, it concludes that Gwadar and Balochistan are not reaping immense benefits from this billionaire project. Under the 18th Amendment, Gwadar should be subject to the Balochistan government, the province should be autonomous, etc. Data was gathered through secondary sources such as printed and electronic media. Besides, theoretical, and conceptual frameworks are present in the paper. This is a qualitative study with deductive reasoning to analyze and interpret the collected data.