Launching of the multi-billion dollar project China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in 2014 by the two ‘all-weather’ friends has been hailed as a “game-changer” for Pakistan and the entire region. The 3,218 kilometer trade route will connect Kashgar in western China with Gwadar port in Pakistan. After coming into operation, it will provide shorter route for Chinese exports and imports by slashing the current distance of 16,000 km to mere 5,000 km.[1] In addition to attracting the flow of Chinese imports and exports, CPEC is set to bring massive investments, develop energy and industrial infrastructure and creation of thousands of jobs in Pakistan.
That historic moment arrived on Monday when hundreds of Chinese trucks loaded with goods entered Sost dry port in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and formally operationalized CPEC.[2] Forty-five of the Chinese containers left for Gwadar port after getting clearance from the custom authorities. The remaining containers will be moved once such clearance is given.[3] Chief Minister of GB Hafeezur Rehman and Force Command Northern Areas Maj Gen Saqib Mahmud Malik attended the inaugural ceremony. Chief Minister said that CPEC will change the fate of GB and that one thousand Chinese containers will pass every week through Karakoram highway.
This analysis is written by Abdur Rehman Shah, Research Associate at the Center for Research and Security Studies.