THE IMPACT OF CHINA-PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR (CPEC) ON LOCAL PEOPLE IN PAKISTAN: A RESEARCH PAPER

Abstract

Through the CPEC framework, Pakistan has seen projects develop, including infrastructure and energy cooperation. In this study, the central purpose has been to examine some of the problems and benefits arising from CPEC, with a particular focus on the implications for local people in Pakistan. Indeed, while some studies have examined challenges and problems brought about by CPEC, the majority have failed to highlight specific locations and Pakistani communities that have been impacted by the project. Hence, the majorities of the investigations have reported largely generalized development impacts, rather than indicate how CPEC has brought benefits and problems to local people in very positive senses. Conducted from a content analysis perspective, the current study has utilized keywords such as CPEC, insurgency, road and railway infrastructure, mega projects, and problems and benefits of mega projects in Pakistan to locate the data. From the results, some of the benefits of CPEC for local people include sufficing their energy needs, increasing connectivity via enhanced transport and communication networks, the creation of job opportunities, socio-economic empowerment in terms of increasing business products’ access to markets, and improved standards of living. Problems include environmental degradation due to the cutting down of trees and air and water pollution due to smog formation and other industrial emissions, the Baloch factor of insurgency in fear of marginalization and local people’s displacement by outsiders, and inequitable resource distribution among provinces.