The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) sparks concerns among Citizens

At a Parties Conference convened on 20th May 2015 and it was unanimously decided that the ‘Western route,’ which passes through lesser developed provinces of Balochistan and KP through Turbat, Panjgur, Kalat, Quetta, Killa Saifullah, Zhob, Dera Ismail Khan, Hassanabdal and onwards would be prioritised. However, the government didn’t follow its promises pledged in APC, and taking the stance that CPEC is a “one corridor, multiple passage” project, prioritised the ‘Eastern route’ citing re-existing infrastructure and stable security conditions pervading there. Abandoning the Western route the government decided to pursue the Eastern route via the relatively developed provinces of Punjab and Sindh, also connecting the two largest cities of Pakistan, Karachi and Lahore. The lesser developed provinces, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa expressed serious reservations over any route change. The concerns of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were never assuaged and this is how the controversy erupted between the Federation and provinces.

Gwadar Port has long been portrayed as the jewel in the CPEC crown, but in the process, the city has become the very embodiment of a security state. Massive peaceful sit-ins and marches are held ever so regularly by the people of Gwadar, who protest the authorities’ indifference towards the provision of basic facilities for residents in the area. Chanting Under the call “Gwadar ko haq do!” (“Give Gwadar rights!”) residents of Gwadar have been demanding an end to the illegal trawling which has devastating effects on the livelihoods of local fishermen, relaxation of restrictions on trade with nearby Iran, and the easing of security checkpoints in the city. The protesters have rallied under Gwadar Ko Huqooq Do Tehreek (Rights to Gwadar movement). Hundreds of residents, civil society activists, lawyers, and journalists including women have been participating in the massive non-violent sit-in protests. Protests in Balochistan are part of growing discontent with China’s presence in Gwadar.

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The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) sparks concerns among Citizens

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