CPEC and Gilgit-Baltistan

Dr Abdul Jalil Back in 1979, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) saw the commissioning of Karakoram Highway (KKH) linking the area with the rest of the country. Being an extremely difficult, inaccessible and seismically active terrain, it was almost a herculean task to reach GB about forty years ago. The mighty mountains of Karakoram, Hindu Kush and Himalayas […]

The corridor to prosperity

Officially announced in 2014, the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was the ray of hope Pakistan’s economy was desperate for. The extensive plan entails a national agenda for economic betterment, beginning from measures to be taken to increase energy production in the power-deficient country, stressing the importance of special economic zones, undertaking large-scale road and […]

Gwadar: A modern day Fatehpur Sikri?

Remshay Ahmed The gateway to Central Asia might create 200 million jobs, enhancing cooperation throughout the country, but this would not be possible if in the process laborers are not able to quench their thirst Akbar the great Mughal Emperor had only daughters. As for any king only a son could be the legal heir […]

The CPEC opportunity

Taller than the tallest mountain and deeper than the deepest sea is how President Xi Jinping epitomised the friendship between China and Pakistan when he addressed Pakistan Parliament on May 20, 2015 during his first visit to what he described as a brother’s home. To fathom this friendship we need to start from the very […]

Pakistan Reels With Internal Unease Regarding CPEC Implementation

By Umain Jamal  In Pakistan, controversy continues to grow around the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multi-billion dollar economic agreement between the China and Pakistan that promises to build an economic trade corridor along the length of Pakistan, connecting western China to the Arabian Sea. Specifically, the corridor aims to connect Gwadar port in Balochistan to […]

CPEC’s impact on Pakistan’s social, economic outlook

By Furqan Rao Though terrorism has been affecting Pakistan since last two decades, one thing that might have even worse consequences for the national development are racial, ethnic and regional biases. Some immature politicians are adding to the fuel as they are giving an ethnic colour to every issue, most of the time illogically, just […]

Balochistan takes lead in CPEC

By K.Iqbal While there is enough attraction for the international players, regarding the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the uphill task has been to save it from the internal and external spoilers. The credit goes to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, where so far he has been able to do this job well. Most of the […]

Building Gwadar The Right Way

In what has become a widely circulated image in Pakistan, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Shareef drove the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif around in an open top jeep in an inspection of the M-8 highway – a part of the China Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC). While most commentators jibed at the power dynamic between […]

Gwadar and “the String of Pearls”

Is China actively building up its maritime presence in the Arabia Sea, to dominate vital sea lanes and perhaps encircle India with a chain of naval bases? There can be little doubt that China views Gwadar as a potentially useful asset. China, however, will know better than anyone that Gwadar has two considerable limitations. Gwadar […]

CPEC and smaller provinces

Islamabad:  In the atmosphere of suspicion over the implementation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the prime minister’s consultative meeting, which has led to the setting up of a high-powered 10-member committee, is a prudent move. Apart from the prime minister’s assurance of his personal involvement in the smooth enforcement of the CPEC, it has […]