Information & Communication Technology in Education
Name:- Asma-e-Bibi Kartio
Topic:- Research Proposal via Thematic Research
Name of Faculty:- Prophessor Dr. Ghulam Ali Malah.
Abstract:
Pakistan and China relationship has remained a best example of ‘friendship beyond the borders’ in the world since early 1950s. The further mile-stone toward strengthening this relationship became the CPEC. The China-Pakistan economic corridor is said the game changer in the region of South Asia and Central Asia by diminishing the time and energy consuming long trade routes in the region especially of China to the Middle East. Definitely it is too much beneficent for the development of the Pakistan but in some points it is a bit challenging and threatening for the economy of Pakistan if not handled in the favor of Pakistan. So!
How the CPEC will be a threat to the economy of Pakistan? What are the hidden aspects of the Project regarding Pakistani economy?
Pakistan is a developing country and is situated at a very strategic position in the region. And is the main part of the trade route toward the Middle East and many western countries. Therefore it has to maintain very peaceful relations with the world and has to make its products reach the international markets too, to benefit own industries too. Any wrong move can slow down the pace of development in the country. Therefore Pakistan has to handle the CPEC carefully.
In the research it will be re-searched that how Pakistani bureaucracy has to react and handle the project in the favor of the country.
Introduction;
Pakistan is be-gifted strategically and is potentially developed in the region regarding its regional position. Our beloved country is located at the cross roads of the south Asia, central Asia, China & Middle East. Therefore possess the significant position in the regional market with the addition of the big population, diverse in huge resources and no doubt with good potential of the trade. Pakistan is a developing country with semi-industrialized economy. The geostrategic conditions have always sent big part to Pakistan by putting a huge effect on its stability. But Pakistan has always kept superbly maintained relations with almost all the neighboring countries and has acquired tremendous neighboring friends who have always lent the hand in the tough times. And the one of the strongest relation is developed with the “National Republic of China”. Sino-Pak relationship started almost since the 1950s and started maturing in 1972.
Pakistan-China relation is the all weather friendship. Its current best example is the PCEC (Pak-China Economic Corridor).
The CPEC - China-Pakistan Economic Corridor):
Pak-China Economic Corridor is the collection of the several projects currently under construction with the mutual cooperation of and into Pakistan and China. It is being started by the Chinese government with the investment of almost $46 billion in first phase. This project is considered to of much significant in Pak-Chine relationship.Background;
The Pak-China economic corridor can be said an extension of the China’s suggested 21st century Silk Road initiative. But the current form of this project was proposed by the Chinese premier “Li Kegiang” and Pakistani Premier “Nawaz Sharif” on 22nd May 2013, when Mr. Li Kegiang came to visit Pakistan in May. CPEC is the largest ever investment by the China in any foreign country. On 27th of August 2013 the Pak-China Economic Corridor Secretariat was formed. However, the work plan toward the economic corridor initiated when in 2002, China started construction process at Gwadar port with the intention of linking it to Western China, however, development of the port paused after 2007 due to political instability in Pakistan. But now the construction work is going on there with high pace. In total, more than $1 billion worth of projects are to be developed around the port of Gwadar by December 2017.Under CPEC, China will grant Pakistan $230 million in order to construct a new additional projects there.
CPEC THE GAME CHANGER And The hidden aspects:
President Mamnoon Hussain has said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will change the fate of the people of the country, play a vital role in development and progress of the region...This project will no doubt span in the breadth and width of the economy of Pakistan. This project also is a route across the South Asia and Central Asia, if this really becomes the wider connectivity for the countries of the Asia then this project’s benefit will be much greater. Pakistan definitely is moving toward progress because of the CPEC. Because there are so many sub-projects which are also under construction to get Pakistan out from the sluggish economy in times.
The projects of CPEC
• Energy projects (Improvement and establishment of the Power plants)
• Transport Infrastructure Projects (establishment and expansion of the roads and railway lines).
• Gwadar Port related projects
• And many other projects.
Indeed the CPEC is of too much beneficent toward the economy and people of Pakistan. The titanic investment in these projects will provide job opportunities to both nations. The CPEC will add new infrastructure to the country like new road links, railway tracks/links, modern airports and dry ports, power plants, tax free economic zones etc. In other words the mass under poverty line will rise above the poverty line. But along the positive outcomes there are few negative impacts and some threats (internal and external challenges) to the projects.
Negative Impacts;
One of the biggest thing which can be termed as the negative impact on the economy of Pakistan because of the CPEC will be that the Chinese products will flood to the markets of Pakistan which will diminish the importance of the native products and the producers. The industrial sector will get potentially long run negative impact. The level of GDP will move downward. Which can GOD forbid cripple the economy of Pakistan. Pakistan need to secure its national interest and has keep balance in the relations with the China and the western countries, because just relying on the one sphere can damage the foreign relations.
Challenges;
There are few hurdles in the path of the completion of the CPEC project which can be termed as the external and internal challenges to be faced.
Internal challenges;
Following are the few mentioned internal challenges in the way of CPEC:
• Inside the Pakistan regional security threats to the construction work and the personnel working in the projects.
• Unstable political system in Pakistan.
• Political allegations.
• Sectarian conflicts.
• Opposition from the few nationalists.
External challenges;
• Few countries do possess some preservation over CPEC… like Iran, India, Afghanistan and USA.
• False lobby made by different external forces and few Pakistanis have also joined their hands with for ruining the development.
• Clear objection by the India.
The point of research here comes how the CPEC will overcome all these and many other challenges? And how Pakistan will handle this project diplomatically?
Literature Review;
This study will draw on the main features of the CPEC as the Game changer in the region and its hidden aspects regarding the Pakistan’s economy. As, The Pakistan-China Economic Corridor (PCEC) has been rightly termed a game changer. A careful cost-benefit analysis is required to assess for whom it will be the game changer. The key parameters should be additional business and additional savings.( Published in The Express Tribune, May 4th, 2015). The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a long-term broad framework with multiple sectoral projects, which will be completed in different phases through bilateral agreements agreed upon by both sides as a win-win equation. (Minister Planning, Development and Reform Prof Ahsan Iqbal ). The purpose of building PCEC is to bring benefits to all the people of the entire Pakistan, including Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. (The Daily Mail Chief Mr. Makhdoom Babar) but…the CPEC project has tremendous strategic advantages, it also faces numerous challenges & CPEC is expected to be a game changer not only for the people of Pakistan but the entire region. ( a retired PAF Group Captain).
Results;
After conducting the research work in the specific areas related to the CPEC following results might be gained.
- It will be clear that what the major benefits of the CPEC are for the people of Pakistan of the areas where the project is in progress.
- It will be understood able that what type of challenges and hindrances the project has to face till completion.
- It will be definable and clear that what the drawbacks do the project has in hidden form for the Pakistan if especially not taken care by the authority.
Discussion;
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project is of international level no doubt. And can be re-planned. Its strategies and the priorities can get changed or enhanced which can affect of can totally change the results of the research work.
References;
www.dawn.comwww.dailymail.com
www.expresstribune.com
www.dailykawash.com
www.nihao-salam.com
www.slideshare.net.com
www.stratgem.pk
www.googlebooks.com
www.pakrealstatetimes.com
www.openparliament>senat-of-pakistan
www.pc.gov.pk
www.wikipedia.org
www.worlbank.org
www.linkedin.com
www.pakistantoday.com
www.washingtonpost.com