The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a beneficial for both the countries as well as anyone and everyone who participates in it. Since the start of the project in 2014, significant progress has been made on the ground. In the first phase, energy and infrastructure development were the focus. So far, projects with a combined installed capacity of more than 9 Gigawatts have been completed and work on other energy projects is continuing apace. To streamline internal connectivity, roads have also been built throughout the country. The project is entering in the second phase, which is critical for industrialization in Pakistan and connectivity between China, Pakistan and the rest of the world. This phase will involve investment in a range of sectors, including agriculture and science and technology. Special economic zones will also be created to lead our industrialization process. These projects will contribute to internal physical connectivity, job creation, agricultural modernization and industrial expansion in our country. Most importantly CPEC to be a springboard for transforming Pakistan into a regional connectivity and trade hub. For China, Pakistan offers an attractive investment destination. Manufacturing and services, which may have become financially uncompetitive in China, can freely utilize these new opportunities in Pakistan to lower costs.The two countries have a longstanding relationship based on shared interests and mutual trust. There is consensus within Pakistan on further strengthening ties with China. Both countries work together and cooperate on a range of issues. Additionally, in its recently unveiled first ever National Security Policy, Pakistan acknowledges China’s indispensable role in realizing its geo-economic vision.
However, there is one key area both countries need to work on: people-to-people contact. Cultural power and cultural ties have become increasingly important in this era of globalization and connectivity. As more and more of our peoples interact, a greater understanding of each other’s cultures and traditions would benefit the relationship tremendously. Moving forward, this has to become a priority. The challenges facing the CPEC, including the safety concerns, safety of any foreigner is Pakistan ‘s responsibility. Pakistan takes the concerns of Chinese workers and engineers seriously. That is why in the initial years of the CPEC, Pakistan established a 15,000-strong special security division. You will not find any parallel to such an elaborate arrangement. So far, they have done a tremendous job of ensuring the security of hundreds of CPEC project sites and individuals. There have been a small number of attacks. It is important to recognize that some countries and their proxy actors do not want the CPEC to succeed. They see an ever-growing Pakistan-China partnership as a threat. Pakistan has already explained that India has supported and funded the attacks on CPEC and Chinese interests in Pakistan through anti-Pakistan militant organizations operating from third countries. Unfortunately, our enemies will continue to seek ways to target us.
As a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, the full potential of the CPEC will only be realized when there is peace in the region. It is also critical for Pakistan and China to continue working together to stabilize Afghanistan and prevent it from becoming a haven for cross-border terrorism. Along with this, both sides are keen to implement our joint vision of extending the CPEC to benefit Afghanistan’s economy and its people.
