ISSN: 2277-9655
[Zafar* et al., 6(2): February, 2017] Impact Factor: 4.116
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IJESRT
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES & RESEARCH
TECHNOLOGY
IS CPEC REALLY ACHILLES HEEL; FEARS OVERLOOKED?
Mahwish Zafar*, Dr. Abdul Rehman, Shazia Kousar, Nadia Nasir, Salman Masood Sheikh
*
Assistant Professor
Superior University, 17km Raiwind Road Lahore
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.322494
ABSTRACT
Pakistan and China have agreed upon for a mega project “One Belt One Road” which is a corridor that is
expected to bring economic prosperity for both countries. This project will link border of Pakistan and China
with different projects of energy and railways along with 2000 Km road. It is being considered that this project
is a game changer not only for both associated countries but also for geographically neighbor countries. It will
help to improve the trade, economy, resolve energy crises, oil availability, and improving infrastructure as well.
But this study establishes to evaluate the challenges with it that can help to policy makers to enjoy more positive
results of CPEC in future.
KEYWORDS: Local industry and CPEC, Maintenance challenge, Safety challenge, Pakistan and China.
INTRODUCTION
There are almost 70 years that Pakistan came into being and made good relation with China, with the
collaboration of the leaders of earlier generation, which is getting stronger day by day with the passage of time.
According to the latest survey conducted in Pakistan it is come to know that China is becoming popular in
Pakistan everywhere especially in most populous regions (Frankenstein and Gill, 1996). Political and military
relationship between China and Pakistan are very strong and spreading positive vibes. Since early years of
friendship, Pakistan is paying special attention to the China as compare to any other neighbor country. As
Pakistan own state channel Pakistan Television (PTV) always play Pak-China song on every 1
st
October with
amalgamation of the language of Urdu and Chinese language. This kind of gesture is only for the China as a
token of love from Pakistan. Pakistan and China has very strong relationship in the form of trade and economic
cooperation over a long time. In the trade relationship Pakistan has strong ties with china in the form of import
and exports. China and Pakistan has developed trade relationship in the form of signing MOU since 1963 with
flexible terms of trade agreement (Ranjan, 2015) . Both countries are progressing and securing market access of
each other by signing Free Trade Agreement (Ahmed et al.) on November 2006 which is kept on revising and
upgrading them. With the collaboration of China and Pakistan a project with the name of China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor has been introduced whose purpose is to connect regions with each other(Stoopman et al.).
The project of CPEC is not only beneficent for China and Pakistan but it has also a remarkable significant
impact on the neighbor border connected countries for example: Iran, Afghanistan, India, Central Asian
Republic, and the region(Ali et al.). CPEC will help to augment by this geographical link by road, rail and air
transportation, aimed at connecting people, knowledge sharing, exchange of regional culture, norms, trade,
increasing business, producing opportunities, energy. In short it’s a comprehensive model which will help both
countries to enjoy the fruits at macro level. Generally it is considered that CPEC is a journey towards economic
development and will help to grow other countries with synergy(Aslam, 2016). The basic motive behind this
project is to spread peace, development and progress all around the linked areas. It is considered that CPEC is a
new horizon towards progress around the world. A new model of success is supposed to be introduced through
this way.
It is hope for better future of the region in the form of trade, growth, competition and progress. After having a
thorough examining of the final draft of the project (CPEC) our current Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif agrees that
this project will be fortune changer for the country(Irshad, 2015). As far as China`s point of view concerned
they are considering this project as a dream which is come in true now. China and Pakistan has set an example