Tahniyat Mobeen ul Haq
Kinnaird College
The socioeconomic advancement of a society is contingent upon a myriad of factors, among which infrastructure plays a pivotal role. Infrastructure refers to the fundamental physical and organizational structures and facilities required for the functioning of a society. In the case of Pakistan, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) holds the utmost significance in this regard. The CPEC is an infrastructure development initiative valued at $62 billion between the countries of Pakistan and China. This endeavor is widely regarded as a transformative force for the Pakistani economy and has been anticipated to yield various economic advantages for the nation, especially with regard to enhancing the socioeconomic welfare of its populace.
One of the salient characteristics of the CPEC is the enhancement of Pakistan's infrastructure. The modernization of transportation systems, including highways, roads, railways, and local public transportation, particularly in Lahore, has facilitated movement across the city. These initiatives have not only made transportation more affordable for the general public but have also reduced travel time. Notably, the Orange Line, Metro, and Speedo buses have played a significant role in this regard. The availability of these transportation facilities has encouraged the use of public transport, resulting in fewer vehicles on the roads, thereby reducing traffic congestion and air pollution. These affordable local public transports have been a boon for low-income households and students, who heavily rely on them to reach their destinations and save their money for other academic pursuits.
One can observe the positive impacts of these public transportation facilities on the lives of students in their immediate surroundings. For instance, Hira Sajid, a sixth-semester IR student at Kinnaird College, regularly uses the Speedo Bus to commute from Walton to Kinnaird College and vice versa. According to Hira, in the absence of the Speedo bus, she would have to spend a significant amount of money to cover the long distance between her home and university, which would be a burden, particularly in these economically challenging times. Furthermore, the story of Kaleem Imam, an engineering student from UET, underscores the importance of the improved infrastructure under the CPEC. Kaleem Imam joined a three-month fellowship program in January 2023 organized by Amal Academy and funded by Stanford University. The venue of the fellowship was GC University, which is located at a considerable distance from his university. In this context, the Orange Line Metro Train played a crucial role in facilitating Kaleem's travel from his university to GCU faster and cheaper, thereby saving him both time and money. The positive impacts of these transportation facilities on the lives of students are evident, as exemplified by the experiences of Hira Sajid and Kaleem Imam.
Moreover, the construction of roads and highways is another beneficial aspect of CPEC that has revolutionized time and space. these advancements have facilitated the flow of products and people, resulting in a rise in economic operations. It has also created opportunities for businesses to grow, resulting in more employment and financial stability for the local populace. Additionally, improved infrastructure has boosted communication between Pakistan's various regions, allowing access to formerly isolated places and facilitating the provision of essential commodities like healthcare and education. In this regard, the highway between Gwadar and Quetta holds great importance.
According to Senator Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, the construction and enhancement of the highway linking Quetta and Gwadar has resulted in a significant reduction in travel time from 24-30 hours to 7-8 hours within a decade. This initiative has improved the connectivity between Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, and Gwadar, which is a strategically important deep-sea port located on the Arabian Sea. The newly constructed highway has provided a more direct and expeditious route for both goods and individuals, thus promoting commerce and economic activity in the region, and subsequently benefiting the underdeveloped areas of Balochistan.
CPEC has created numerous employment opportunities for the public in Pakistan, particularly in the construction and transportation sectors. In accordance with the contractual agreements, a significant number of individuals completed their designated terms of service and subsequently departed. Nonetheless, their engagement with Chinese specialists and technicians during their employment tenure enabled them to gain familiarity with contemporary skilled specifications. This new-found professional competitiveness positioned them advantageously to secure more lucrative employment prospects within Pakistan as well as in foreign job markets.
The implementation of CPEC has resulted in the creation of more than 75,000 employment opportunities across a range of skill levels, encompassing high-skilled, medium-skilled, and blue-collar positions. In addition, the project has generated numerous indirect employment opportunities through associated industries. CPEC's role in facilitating job creation has been a significant factor in shaping the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and China for several decades. This phenomenon is noteworthy and unprecedented in contemporary history. During the phase, I and ongoing phase II of CPEC, all Pakistani employees who have been granted employment have been guaranteed complete job security from 2015 until 2021. The employees have not witnessed any instances of forced termination during their contractual period.
Even though the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in significant financial losses and economic downturns, numerous individuals working on CPEC projects have not experienced any negative impact on their employment status. They continue to work without any impending threats or risks to their job security. CPEC produced 75000 employments, according to data recently released by the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan.
In conclusion, The CPEC has exerted a substantial influence on the socioeconomic status of the populace in Pakistan. This initiative has led to the amelioration of the infrastructure, the generation of job opportunities, and the strengthening of trade ties between Pakistan and China. Nevertheless, the undertaking confronts certain obstacles that require immediate attention to safeguard its enduring viability and positive effects on the general public. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the Government of Pakistan, in partnership with China, to tackle these impediments comprehensively and ensure that CPEC engenders sustainable development and prosperity in Pakistan.