China's Silk Road Diplomacy, OBOR, and its Impact on Pakistan

Abstract

This research comprises a study of the Chinese New Silk Road diplomacy, One Belt One Road, and its impact on Pakistan. The study focuses on analysing the controversial Chinese intentions which led China to implement China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the pilot project of One Belt One Road under the Realist and Liberalist perspectives, and Sino-Pakistan relations. The research is heavily focused on identifying the impact of the project on socio-economic development of Pakistan as well as the threats and constraints that could possibly derail the positive implementation of the project. The research is a descriptive analysis comprised of the primary and secondary data from an array of sources taken from both governmental and nongovernmental publications. The flagship initiative of Chinese New Silk Road, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project constitute of construction of a network of railway and road infrastructures, fibre optics and energy pipelines along with the development of industrial zones, power plants and Gwadar port. According to the research findings, the potential impact of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project will significantly lead to Pakistan’s socioeconomic development. It will contribute to reducing the energy dependency and infrastructure deficit which have disrupted the sustainable economic growth of the country. However, due to some loopholes such as terrorist activities, division among politicians, lack of policy coordination etc., the research indicates that the proper implementation of the CPEC project has been disrupted. Nevertheless, this volatile situation can be overcome through better policy planning and implementation, application of stringent security and financial measures, and raising the public awareness regarding the bilateral agreements to mitigate the dissatisfaction widely prevailing among the local community on the division of CPEC prospects