REVISITING THE DETERMINANTS AND CHALLENGES OF CHINA-PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR (CPEC) THROUGH THE LENS OF PUBLIC OPINION

Abstract

The world has witnessed the establishment of regional and global strategic environment and the 21st century is no exception. It helps encouraging geo-economical and geostrategic partnership among countries. The Belt and Road initiative (BRI) of which China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a flagship project is a major developmental project. The CPEC, undeniably, presents ample opportunities and to both China and Pakistan, it is not a smooth sailing ship as it is jolted by high winds and thrashing waves from all sides. It has invited discontent from inside and criticism from the outside from the very beginning. These voices of discontent especially from the ethnic groups living in close proximity of CPEC projects occasionally have resulted into creating an impression that this project would be doomed. This paper is an attempt to revisit the determinants and challenges that Islamabad is facing both from inside and the outside to implement this mega project. More specifically, it analyses the internal discontent that is reflected through protests by various ethnic groups that feel deprived of the promised economic fruits of this project. It further seeks to evaluate the challenges that exist in the form of public support and public concerns about the promised benefits of CPEC projects. This study is qualitative in nature that utilizes both primary and secondary sources of data collection. Significantly high level of awareness is found among masses about CPEC but public support and concerns are posing serious challenges for the government. Analyzing both the internal and external challenges, a strong resolve have been demonstrated by both Pakistan and China to counter these threats pragmatically. The internal discontent of the various ethnic groups poses a serious challenge, so it is imperative to address the grievances of these aggrieved groups on practical grounds. Keywords: Strategic partnership; Determinants; Challenges; China-Pakistan Economic Corridor; Belt and Road Initiative; Discontent; Criticism; Ethnic groups etc.