Sir: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a highly crucial venture in Pakistan. Still, under construction, it aims to connect Gwadar Port in southwestern Pakistan to Xinjiang, China.
This mega project would, in turn, develop both the country’s infrastructure as well as the energy sector, establishing special economic zones in many cities. The corridor would span the length and breadth of Pakistan in order to link seaports in Gwadar and Karachi with the Chinese region of Xinjiang.
As part of the broad package of infrastructure projects under CPEC, a 1,100-kilometre long motorway will be constructed between the cities of Karachi and Lahore. Projects like Gwadar port complex, reconstruction of Karakoram highway, Karachi-Lahore motorway and railway expansion would also be worked upon soon.
The two countries have also agreed to collaborate to reduce climate change, undermine the regional narcotic network, increase cooperation between the banking sectors in the two countries, and establish closer ties between China Central Television and the Pakistan Television Corporation.
The CPEC and its economic push are considered economically vital to Pakistan. Thus, media and the government are quite right in calling the CPEC investments a “game and fate changer” for the region. It is, indeed, a game changer that would help develop Pakistan and stabilise its economic and social condition.
MAHRUKH SAJID
Karachi