Abstract
A study was conducted in December 2017- to February 2018 to measure the common people perception of effectiveness of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on the economy of Balochistan. CPEC is considered the life line for Pakistan Economy especially for the province of Balochistan. China and Pakistan are engaged to build One Belt One Road project which is famous for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. The south Asian countries can benefit from the project and can bring peace and prosperity in the region. The corridor of CPEC is long way from Gwadar port which is situated in Arabian Sea. It is part of Balochistan which located in south west of Pakistan and it is very close to the border of Iran. Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan in terms of area, however; smallest in population. CPEC route will ultimately ends up to the north of Chinese town called Kashgar. The road is an important link between the two countries bringing them closer economically, socially and politically having the repercussions on Balochistan. It is important to note that CPEC road will be connected to China via roads, railways and gas pipelines that will initially pass through the province of Balochistan. It is speculated that the impact of CPEC will boost the economic growth and accelerate the GDP of the Pakistan providing the numerous benefits to Balochistan. The study is quantitative in nature, using convenience survey technique through questionnaire having 300 respondents from different districts of Balochistan on the way of CPEC. As convenience sampling technique was used to collect the data from common people. Likert scale was cogitated to evaluate the data. The study focuses on the measurement of benefits and potential for the Balochistan. There are number of industries which directly or indirectly depend of the success of project. Hence, the study is more focused on the evaluation of industrial growth and development. Due to the largest province of Pakistan (in terms of area), the province of Balochistan has great potential and prospect for the inhabitants. As a matter of fact, CPEC will affect the province economically, commercially as well as geographically. It must have some infrastructural impact as better and improved road will provide access to Balochistan not only to Pakistan but also towards China. Positive impact is likely to be effecting in shape of mitigation of poverty, reduction of unemployment. It will be catalyst for change in shape of reduction of inequities of undeveloped provinces. It is hoped that CPEC will be game changer for the staggering economy of Pakistan in future. Huge investment from China in different project will bring the prosperity in the country. Pakistan is facing the energy crises which are expected to be talked in shape of investment in these sectors. Foreign Direct Investment is also expected to be pour into the country which will provide an opportunity to increase the diplomatic bargain of Pakistan. This paper is an attempt to look into those factors which are significantly contributing to enlarge the size of economy. The results indicated that CPEC had the direct impact on the economy especially the economy of Balochistan. Expectations from CPEC are very high and promising as it will develop the economic disparities and will help in trade and commerce. The major parameters for optimism are regional connectivity, infrastructure development, employment creation, entrepreneurial opportunities, improvement in energy resources and economic prosperity for both the countries in particular and for the whole South Asian region generally. This study helps to investigate the effectiveness and benefits for Pakistan accompanying with the execution of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Muhammad Shafiq1, Asma Azhar2, Tahira Rafiq3, Nosheen Rafiq4. (2018) Perception of Effectiveness of CPEC on the Economy of Balochistan: A Common Man Point of View, Balochistan Review, Volume 1, Issue 1.
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