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 […]
CPEC will give impetus to regional trade: Analysts
Eminent analysts say China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will give impetus to regional trade. Participating in Radio Pakistan’s Current Affairs’ programme, Dr Noor Fatima said Pakistan has become a potential destination for foreign investment due to improved security situation in the country. Dr. Manzoor Khan Afridi said government is doing commendable efforts in attracting more and more […]
Looking beyond dynastic politics
The CPEC project is a litmus test for Islamabad to demonstrate whether it will be able to end the alienation of the poor Baloch. Politics in Balochistan transpires largely at two levels. Ranging from individual or family interest to party or regional interest, politics is an investment in the hope of return in the descending […]
CPEC and Gilgit–Baltistan
By Ejaz Karim Some are calling the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as the China-Punjab Economic Corridor, while some are seeing it as a game-changer for the entire region. Every province is striving within and outside the parliament to become a major beneficiary or at least a beneficiary of the project, except Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), which is […]
Another APC by Nawaz to debunk ‘unfounded objections’ on CPEC
Ruffled by the insane and pointless controversy teed off by some elements, disgruntled by their own performance, over the historic China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC), Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is mulling over convening another All Parties Conference (APC) to put to rest their misconceptions and misunderstandings. In the meantime, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Pervez Khattak has […]
Making CPEC controversial
By Malik Muhammad Ashraf Notwithstanding the fact that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor is a nationally owned mega-development initiative regarded as a game changer for Pakistan and the region and an epitome of an eternal friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries, some political elements are trying to make it controversial. First the ANP […]
Stirring the CPEC pot
ONCE again KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and his high command are up in arms against the manner in which the government is seen to be implementing the CPEC projects. Less than two months ago, he was already threatening “massive agitations” against these as well as a halt to all land acquisition under way in […]
Economic corridor: guarantees could pose fiscal risks: World Bank
By Tahir Amin Islamabad: Stronger growth and investment in Pakistan predicated on implementation of reforms to strengthen the business climate, an improvement in the security situation, implementation of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and an associated easing in energy constraints are projected for Pakistan in a World Bank report titled “Global Economic Prospects (GEP) […]