CPEC As a Game Changer for Pakistan: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

There is a shift in the global order and a realignment of interstate relations occurring, with Pakistan firmly positioned to move towards the eastern camp, led by China. The tilt is through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which offers China another entry point into the Indian Ocean through the Gwadar Port in Balochistan and tremendous prospects for Pakistan to improve its ailing economic situation. To make the CPEC a successful reality, the state of Pakistan must, nevertheless, confront and overcome a number of difficulties. With the Gwadar Port, the CPEC gives China access to another opening in the Indian Ocean and presents Pakistan with a wealth of commercial options to alleviate its financial hardship. It proposes to upgrade Pakistan's infrastructure and increase connection both inside the area and outside, connecting the Middle East, Europe, and Africa with the Chinese province of Xinjiang. Pakistan is clearly moving away from geostrategic concerns and towards geo-economics cooperation, emphasizing solid relationships with key regional players. Conversely, the CPEC has faced considerable international scrutiny and criticism since its launch in 2013. Close friendship exists between China and Pakistan. And the world sees this China-Pakistan economic corridor as unique because, for the first time, the focus of their relationship and devotion has moved from geopolitical to geo-economics issues. The fact that this endeavor benefits both nations equally and is not biased towards either is, however, of paramount importance.