By Asghar Ali Mubarak
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding Chinese citizens, investments, and institutions, signaling the country’s determination to provide a secure environment for the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Launched as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, CPEC has become a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economic planning, with the potential to transform the nation’s infrastructure, energy sector, and regional connectivity. The corridor, stretching across the country, is far more than a series of highways, railways, and power plants. It represents a framework for deepened cooperation between China and Pakistan, bringing together economic, trade, industrial, and people-to-people exchanges. For the Pakistani government, this is a strategic imperative.
A “Special Security Division” of approximately 15,000 personnel is already deployed to protect CPEC routes and Chinese personnel from internal and external threats. The government insists that all projects and agreements under the corridor will be seen through to completion. CPEC’s significance lies not only in its economic potential but also in the strategic partnership it symbolizes. Since Chinese Premier Li Keqiang proposed the corridor in 2013, Pakistan has actively engaged in planning and implementation, with a memorandum of understanding signed during former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Beijing the same year. Over the years, the corridor has seen continuous progress, integrating planning, industrial cooperation, energy projects, and transport infrastructure into a coherent framework that reflects long-term bilateral ambitions.
The project spans multiple sectors and regions, with particular emphasis on Gwadar Port, energy production, transport infrastructure, and industrial development. The corridor is designed not only to improve Pakistan’s economy but also to enhance connectivity in the broader region, with positive implications for Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asian states. In practical terms, it has helped Pakistan overcome an energy crisis, generating thousands of megawatts of power through projects such as the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park, coal-fired power plants, and hydroelectric projects like the Karot and Kohala hydropower stations. The current government has now launched the second phase of CPEC, aiming to modernize the economy with China’s technical assistance.
This phase introduces five development corridors: of economic growth, livelihood, innovation, green economy, and open and inclusive regional development. It aligns closely with Pakistan’s “5Es” framework for development—Exports, e-Pakistan, Environment, Energy, Equity, and Empowerment—demonstrating an unusual synergy of planning between the two countries. The goal is not merely economic growth but the creation of stability and prosperity across the region. Security remains central to the corridor’s success. Rising tensions along the Pak-Afghan border and threats from militant groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army have prompted Pakistan to issue a high alert, tighten security at all sensitive installations, and protect foreign nationals.
The navy has established Task Force-88 to safeguard Gwadar Port and maritime borders, while the Ministry of Interior has banned the use of drones and tightened monitoring of inter-provincial borders and public spaces. Such measures underscore the complex environment in which CPEC operates, where economic ambitions intersect with regional security challenges. CPEC is more than a network of infrastructure projects; it is a platform for strengthening the Pakistan-China friendship. Both countries have committed to mutual support, cultural exchange, and education, with initiatives including training programs and language education for Pakistani citizens. Chinese New Year celebrations in Pakistan, organized for Chinese employees working on CPEC projects, symbolize this commitment to solidarity and shared cultural understanding.
These events are not ceremonial alone; they reaffirm trust and cooperation between the two nations amid challenging circumstances. The corridor’s broader vision is to promote regional connectivity and economic integration. By improving transport networks, energy transmission, and trade linkages, CPEC aims to facilitate more frequent people-to-people exchanges, enhance scientific and cultural cooperation, and encourage business investment. The project reflects a long-term strategy to harness globalization while addressing the unique development challenges of Pakistan and the wider region. Yet, the corridor’s success depends on more than construction and investment.
The ultimate aim is win-win cooperation, with benefits flowing not only to Pakistan and China but across the region. CPEC embodies the hope that economic development can coexist with peace, security, and shared prosperity. It represents a tangible vision of what Pakistan and China can achieve together—a combination of infrastructure, energy, trade, and human development. As both countries work to protect their investments, deepen cooperation, and promote regional connectivity, the corridor is becoming a symbol of strategic foresight, mutual trust, and long-term planning in a world where stability is often uncertain. In the face of regional challenges, CPEC stands as a reminder that economic and strategic objectives are inseparable.
(The writer is a senior journalist covering various beats, can be reached at editorial@metro-morning.com)
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