Dharti News
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Home
  • Pakistan
  • World
  • Opinion
  • Economy
  • Business
  • Culture
  • Politics
  • Lifestyle
    The first original Arabic series on Netflix hopes to be a surprise for horror lovers.

    The first original Arabic series on Netflix hopes to be a surprise for horror lovers.

    Jemima Goldsmith’s romantic comedy soon theatres

    Jemima Goldsmith’s romantic comedy soon theatres

    Saheefa Jabbar is launching her own fast fashion brand inspired by Zara

    Saheefa Jabbar is launching her own fast fashion brand inspired by Zara

    You have a chance to attend the virtual birthday bash of Shahrukh Khan now.

    You have a chance to attend the virtual birthday bash of Shahrukh Khan now.

    Usman Mukhtar tested positive for Covid-19

    Usman Mukhtar tested positive for Covid-19

    For a pared-back movie exhibition, Cannes rolls out a red carpet

    For a pared-back movie exhibition, Cannes rolls out a red carpet

    Trending Tags

    • COVID-19
    • Donald Trump
    • Pandemic
    • Bill Gates
    • Corona Virus
  • Tech
  • Videos
  • Home
  • Pakistan
  • World
  • Opinion
  • Economy
  • Business
  • Culture
  • Politics
  • Lifestyle
    The first original Arabic series on Netflix hopes to be a surprise for horror lovers.

    The first original Arabic series on Netflix hopes to be a surprise for horror lovers.

    Jemima Goldsmith’s romantic comedy soon theatres

    Jemima Goldsmith’s romantic comedy soon theatres

    Saheefa Jabbar is launching her own fast fashion brand inspired by Zara

    Saheefa Jabbar is launching her own fast fashion brand inspired by Zara

    You have a chance to attend the virtual birthday bash of Shahrukh Khan now.

    You have a chance to attend the virtual birthday bash of Shahrukh Khan now.

    Usman Mukhtar tested positive for Covid-19

    Usman Mukhtar tested positive for Covid-19

    For a pared-back movie exhibition, Cannes rolls out a red carpet

    For a pared-back movie exhibition, Cannes rolls out a red carpet

    Trending Tags

    • COVID-19
    • Donald Trump
    • Pandemic
    • Bill Gates
    • Corona Virus
  • Tech
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Dharti News
No Result
View All Result
Home Archive

Pakistan will not be able to accrue maximum economic benefits if it does not link CPEC to other countries

Asad Iqbal by Asad Iqbal
January 6, 2021
4 min read
0 0
0
Pakistan will not be able to accrue maximum economic benefits if it does not link CPEC to other countries

NEVER has a scheme been peddled to the people in Pakistan’s past as a game changer the way the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor was. The government is optimistic about asphalt carpet roads, electricity schemes and special economic zones worth $60 billion. The $19bn early harvest programmes have been completed, and the CPEC is now in its second phase, where much of the projects will be based on a model of public-private collaboration.

RELATED POSTS

Two-corridor Red Line bus project to be launched in Karachi this month

Isa says he’s fighting for future of judiciary

Bride slips away from wedding party to foil forced nikah in Tangwani

For now, in their first step, the schemes have failed to usher in the degree of progress promised to the people. It is therefore imperative to ensure that CPEC projects are used in an optimal manner and, therefore, there is a need to extend its reach to neighbouring countries, especially Afghanistan.

Read Also: Delay in disposal of corruption cases irks BHC CJ

Pakistan and China have already spent immense resources in the development of the CPEC road system. $11bn will be spent on the building of roads and highways, according to projections. However, if Pakistan does not connect the CPEC to other countries in the region, it would not be able to gain the full economic benefits and ensure the financial viability of the infrastructure.

In addition, Pakistan already had a road network, which may not have been as bright as CPEC, but definitely helped to connect various parts of the nation. A parallel road infrastructure will look good for the eyes, but with the heavy transport industry, it will not gain momentum as it often suggests more fuel and toll costs.

Linking the corridor to Afghanistan would be to Pakistan’s benefit.

A good data point for understanding how un-optimized highways can be harmful to the economy is the M2 highway between Lahore and Islamabad. It took more than seven years to construct the motorway, at a cumulative cost of around $1.2bn. Despite this, the chosen route for commercial transportation to date is the GT Lane, which saves heavy transport fuel and toll costs. The motorway has not seen a massive rise in freight traffic even after more than 20 years of construction; rather, it has just contributed to Pakistan’s international debt service obligations. Regional connectivity would mitigate the danger of other deadweight projects, including the M2 motorway, in addition to growing trade.

Pakistan has recently announced that it will build trading points with Afghanistan on the border it shares. While this is a promising move, this project can only be successful if these trade points are linked to major highways and motorways. Pakistan’s share of intra-regional trade has fallen to 7.4 percent of its overall overseas exports, according to estimates, down from 12.2 percent in 2011. Likewise, Pakistan’s regional imports have declined from 7.4pc to 4.7pc of its overall global transactions. Connecting CPEC to regional countries, beginning with Afghanistan, may be a gradual process. Afghanistan seems to be the most viable country to expand CPEC, considering its obstacles.

In addition, owing to historical and cultural ties, Pakistan and Afghanistan’s destinies are intertwined. Pakistan will not achieve economic growth without peace and prosperity in Afghanistan. Afghanistan will need to diversify its economy with the US pulling out of the region, as the existing $8.5bn funding from the West is also expected to dry up.

Pakistan is also interested in the development of the Torkham to Jalalabad highway. The reasonable next step is to further expand this highway to Kabul. China has also stated that it will be open to investment in road infrastructure and energy projects if the Afghan Taliban will enter into a peace agreement with the Afghan government.

Boosting the port of Gwadar is another justification for expanding the CPEC to Afghanistan. Pakistan is failing to get foreign business traction for the port. The construction of the port of Gwadar was slower than Pakistan had envisaged. So far, because of improved logistics facilities, foreign freight companies tend to berth their ships at the two ports in Karachi. The Gwadar-Chaman motorway will be a lucrative freight route and would greatly reduce the time it takes for freight from Pakistan to enter Afghanistan.

Read Also: Concerns of Martial Law in America?

Though there are different explanations for expanding CPEC to Afghanistan, before this can become a possibility, there are many obstacles. One of the main problems is getting the requisite buy-in from all of Afghanistan’s relevant stakeholders. In addition, China-U.S., Pakistan-U.S., and even India-Pakistan ties would be crucial in linking CPEC to Afghanistan.

At the end of the day, if it wishes to improve regional cooperation, Pakistan would have to bring all players on board, which is good for both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The writer is a graduate of the University of Oxford and the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.

Tags: CPEC
ShareTweetShare
Asad Iqbal

Asad Iqbal

Related Posts

Two-corridor Red Line bus project to be launched in Karachi this month
Archive

Two-corridor Red Line bus project to be launched in Karachi this month

March 3, 2021
Isa says he’s fighting for future of judiciary
Archive

Isa says he’s fighting for future of judiciary

March 3, 2021
Bride slips away from wedding party to foil forced nikah in Tangwani
Archive

Bride slips away from wedding party to foil forced nikah in Tangwani

February 28, 2021
Pakistan recognises Saudi efforts in Khashoggi matter
Archive

Pakistan recognises Saudi efforts in Khashoggi matter

February 28, 2021
Mega uplift package for Sindh by April: minister
Archive

Mega uplift package for Sindh by April: minister

February 28, 2021
White tiger among three animals Lahore zoo may put down
Archive

White tiger among three animals Lahore zoo may put down

February 24, 2021
Next Post
There is reason to worry if the Gulf alliance is being nudged to form a united front to confront Iran

There is reason to worry if the Gulf alliance is being nudged to form a united front to confront Iran

Norway first to reach 50pc electric in new car sales

Norway first to reach 50pc electric in new car sales

Discussion about this post

Recommended Stories

Jibran Nasir talks about finding inspiration from fiancé Mansha Pasha

Jibran Nasir talks about finding inspiration from fiancé Mansha Pasha

December 31, 2020
Protesting Indian farmers begin hunger strike after week of clashes

Protesting Indian farmers begin hunger strike after week of clashes

January 30, 2021
Five things to know about the EU tech rule revolution

Five things to know about the EU tech rule revolution

December 14, 2020

Popular Stories

  • Army to use infrared cameras in search mission for Ali Sadpara, two others

    Army to use infrared cameras in search mission for Ali Sadpara, two others

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Digital Banking Facility to be Given to Overseas Pakistanis

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Meet The Girl Behind The Viral ‘Pawry Horahi Hai” Video

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Lana Del Rey engaged to beau Clayton Johnson

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Unique record before the third season of ‘Ertugrul Ghazi’ aired

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Facebook Twitter Youtube
Dharti News

Dharti News is a one stop solution to bring you the real breaking news, in-depth stories, current affairs, biographies, viral content on internet, sports, showbiz and entertainment along with everything happening around you right on your screens both in written and video formats.

Editorial: After winning the vote of confidence, govt now needs to focus attention on mounting problems

Editorial: After winning the vote of confidence, govt now needs to focus attention on mounting problems

March 7, 2021
NAB seeks details of Sindh police officials’ bank accounts

NAB seeks details of Sindh police officials’ bank accounts

March 7, 2021
PTI asks ECP to hold Yousuf Raza Gilani’s victory notification

PTI asks ECP to hold Yousuf Raza Gilani’s victory notification

March 7, 2021

Quick Links

  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Videos

© 2020 Dharti News - All Copyrights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Category
    • Business
    • Culture
    • Economy
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Travel
    • Opinion
    • Politics
    • Tech
    • World
  • Videos

© 2020 Dharti News - All Copyrights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.