Naseebullah Khan
The strategic location of Balochistan by providing the shortest physical route to China to the Indian Ocean makes the province the arch pillar of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)__which is one of the key flagship projects of the mighty One belt One Road (OBOR) initiative. The magnitude of Balochistan and its Gwadar port further accelerates for China after its 400 billion dollars agreement with Iran. Within Balochistan, CPEC has resulted in a hot and polarized debate among the people with special reference to the academics and the intelligentsia that, whether it is a game-changer for the marginalized province or not. The 64 billion USD project is undoubtedly a gigantic project of projects which will ultimately overcome the infrastructural and energy gaps in the country. Whereas for Balochistan, its total share in CPEC as per the statement of the incumbent Chief Minister is 4.5 percent which reflects that at present the province is at the low end in development projects and its progress. If the long-term plan (LTP) is effectuated in the province, all the parties (China, the federal government of Pakistan, and Balochistan) will be in a win_win state. According to the official website of the government of Pakistan on CPEC, the projects under the umbrella of CPEC in Balochistan include 2 Special Economic Zones in Gwader and Boston, 300 MW Coal power plant project in Gwader, construction of Khuzdar_Basima, Nokandi_Panjgur, Quetta_ zhob, Kalat_Chaman, Noshki_Dalbandin, Surab__Hoshab, and Gwader_Turbet expressways. Moreover, the construction of Gwadar airport, a hospital in Gwadar, free zone development in Gwadar, construction of the East bay expressway, and a technical vocational institute in Gwader are also part of CPEC. Quetta mass transit railway project which was included in the first phase of CPEC and was approved in the 6th JCC meeting was canceled in the 7th JCC meeting. The Long term plan (TLP 2015_2030) is a comprehensive documentation of CEPC regarding the cooperation between Pakistan and China in different areas of interest. It says that CPEC will focus on livelihood improvement, provision of basic public services, creation of employment, climate change, sustainable development, construction of integrated transport system, highways, aviation, railways, __Cooperation in industry, exploration, and development of mineral resources, starting up mineral processing zones, industrial parks, and industries. The document also sheds light upon the Upgradation of the agriculture sector, infrastructure, promotion of water-saving, construction of modern agriculture zones, development and remediation of medium and low yielding lands, strengthening drip irrigation technology and water efficiency, collaboration in crop farming, improvements in pro harvest handling such as storage, transportation, and innovation in agricultural products and sales models, and assistance in pesticides and fertilizers.The LTP also cynosures livestock medicine and vaccines, livestock breeding, collaboration in forestry, food growing, cooperation in aquatic and Fisheries, and horticulture. Notwithstanding, the LTP assures cooperation in the improvement of water resource management and operations, development of pastoral areas and deserts, exploitation of coastline tourism, helping local bodies by cooperating in water, drainage system, and public transport, and establishment of vocational training centres, and social welfare cooperation.When we come to the marginalization of the province, the situation is pathetic. Scarcity of water and lack of infrastructure has deteriorated the agriculture and livestock sectors. Whereas the transportation issue has been a panic for decades. There is no dual express carriageway in the province and the death toll in the accidents is greater than death caused by terrorism. Further, the energy sector resembles that of decades ago where the provincial requirements of electricity are around 1800 MW whereas 700 to 800 MW is provided. The energy transmission lines have become too rotten which cannot afford more energy transmission and absorption capacity. Under the umbrella of CPEC, 13 grid stations of 500 kv will be built across the country, where the share of Balochistan is zero. Apart from this, 2 lines of 1000 km of 500 kv transmission will be built through CPEC, again both lines will be out of Balochistan. Balochistan could be heaven for the long-term plan of CPEC, provided that pragmatic strategies are adopted. The 772 km coastline of the province can be a heaven of tourism and Wind and Solar energy. On the other side, investment in horticulture, livestock, and agriculture can change the fate of the country and the province which would have far-reaching benefits for the Chinese government. In spite of this, Balochistan is the heaven of natural resources (worth 50 trillion USD according to the geological survey of Pakistan) such as chromite, Coal, Marble, Iron, Iron core, Zinc, Sulphur, Copper, Gypsum, etc. Investment in this sector through the long-term plan of CPEC could be a game-changer for all stakeholders. Balochistan which is the jugular vein of CPEC by providing 62 percent of the physical land route and the shortest access of China to the Indian Ocean__has been facing an alarming situation of infrastructure, energy, water, livestock, agriculture, and mineral development. The CPEC will grapple with some gaps in infrastructure in the province, but still, a long way to go. Harnessing in solar and wind energy, agriculture, livestock, water management, along with the blue economy of Balochistan through a long-term plan of CPEC could not only revolutionize the socioeconomic adversaries in the province but will also help in the economic progress of the federal government of Pakistan and China. The government of Balochistan should wake up from its deep slumber and convince the federal government and china in investing in these sectors as documented in the long-term plan of CPEC
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