Sir: Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) shares the border with China and one of routes of mega project of CPEC also originates from GB. And being a part of the gigantic project of One Road One Belt, CPEC remains its major flagship because of its investment portfolio of $57 billion.
In a view of CPEC vis-à-vis GB, with the opening of Karakorum Highway (KKH), the region got exposed to exogenous ideas, lifestyle and market forces. After the 35 of opening of KKH the Pak-China governments embarked upon a mega project of CPEC, which offers new avenues for the nascent economy of GB by offering huge opportunities for the human resources development, cash crops and fruit exports, chains of intra-city roads in area, removing trade and tariff barriers, addressing policy impediments and building support for other trade related sectors. Albeit, CPEC is not bringing in any significant direct investment in this area, but the indirect investment effects in the country is expected to morph GB into a regional hub of connectivity impacting multiple sectors of its economy. Contract worth $1.2 million to connect Taxila to Kashgar is also feasible through GB.
Some unregulated and untapped sectors of GB economy have huge potential to grow under CPEC e.g. mineral sector; it has the fifth largest mineral reserves in the world and accounts for 70 percent gemstone reserves in the country. Despite the optimism revolving around the CPEC, the community is not yet fully prepared to embrace these changes. The people of GB had never been included in all processes and decision making related to CPEC.
ZAHID ALI ZOHRI
Nagar, Gilgit-Baltistan