Fayaz Hussain Jamali
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is considered a game-changer in the economy. It is a bilateral agreement between Pakistan and China; the major purpose of this project is to develop the economy of the country through trade. China will use the trade route of Pakistan and in revenge, China builds infrastructure, schools, and hospitals for Pakistan. It is a project of sixty-two billion dollars. History shows that CPEC was started when Pakistan purchased Gwadar Port from Oman in 1958 for half and five billion rupees. Gwadar is assumed the gate of Pakistan from here Pakistan can trade with Gulf counties. The true date of the initiative of CPEC in Pakistan has been started in 2015. China has supported Pakistan in economic growth and eradicated terrorism in Pakistan. Once in history, Pakistan was called the country of terrorism houses but, China supported Pakistan and proved to Pakistan a developing country in South Asia. On 5th May 2023, in Islamabad, Pakistan hosted a trilateral dialogue has been held between China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. In discussion, China has proposed to Afghanistan for joining the project of CPEC. Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Molvi Amir Khan Muttaqi has accepted the proposal of Qin Gang, Foreign minister of China. Benefits for Afghanistan from CPEC.* Since its inception, Afghanistan has been facing multiple problems including diplomatic, economic, terrorism, wars, foreign pressures, and agriculture problems. These issues have spoiled the image of Afghanistan in the world. Despite being a landlocked country, it is an enriched natural resource country. Minerals of Afghanistan ( lithium, copper, coal, and chromite) are enough to develop the economy of this country, but it has been confined to the brutality of numerous rulers. Alexander’s government, Russia, British, And America have ruled their command over Afghanistan’s people. It faced challenges of internal and external factors but, now, it has an opportunity to boost its economy to join CPEC. With the help of CPEC, motorways, railways, gas, airports, educational institutions, and hospitals will construct. It will open the door to the employment, jobs, and marketing of youth and reduce the poverty rate in the country. Infrastructure will save time, money, and energy in traveling from one place to another place. In Afghanistan, lands are barren due to the shortage of water, but with the CPEC’s technology, the agriculture sector will be improved. Motorways from Kabul to Peshawar will be a massive accomplishment for Pakistan and Afghanistan people; they can travel by road within a short time and cheaper amount. Afghanistan’s economy and diplomatic relations with Asian countries will get strong. *Benefits for Pakistan and China.* Pakistan and China are working together on the CPEC project. Both countries are inviting various counties of Asia and Europe. Recently, Russia has also joined this project on its desire. With the extension of CPEC to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China’s economies will gear up; Afghanistan has enough minerals, fresh fruits, and leather, to trade with Afghanistan, and Pakistan and China will get gem things at a cheaper rate. Food Shortage in Pakistan will fill the gap through this project. China imports minerals from Afghanistan and exports technology goods. This project will prove bombastic for the economy of Asian countries, but there are multiple challenges for it from internal and external factors. From an external challenge, CPEC is being looked at angrily by America and India. Bother countries are ready to pull down the economy of Pakistan and China. They are making propagation in United Nations against China. They estimate that China is debauching Asian countries for the sake of the economy but in the future, it will invade countries. India is frequently fighting with Pakistan to conquer Gilgit Baltistan (GB), which is the hub of CPEC. India wanted to overthrow GB and Kashmir to use the routine of CPEC for trade with Gulf and European countries fearlessly. From internal factors, there are numerous challenges for CPEC. Security concern is a major issue for this project. Workers and visitors are being killed and kidnapped in Pakistan brutally by terrorists. Chinese has a language issue, they do not know the Urdu language, and Pakistani do not Chines language. Apart from these issues, political instability and health issues are also common for this project. CPEC is purely a beneficial project for Asian countries, especially for Pakistan. The Pakistani government must take serious action against the proportion and challenges of this project. The government ought to implement strict laws and track the political stability in the country so that the economic dreams of China and Pakistan come to really.
