Who Obstructed CPEC, Why Pakistan Failed in Taking Advantage of Great Chinese Goodwill via CPEC?

Key Takeaways

• The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was originally conceived by Pakistan, not China, as a strategic initiative to link Gwadar Port with China following years of bilateral efforts.
• Pakistan’s failure to establish a national consensus and inter-ministerial coordination led to conflicting priorities, which confused Chinese partners and hindered project implementation.
• The initial planning for CPEC lacked rigorous homework, particularly regarding route selection and the sustainability of infrastructure like the Karakoram Highway, which remains vulnerable to environmental hazards.
• While CPEC successfully addressed Pakistan's critical energy shortages, the subsequent phase of industrial development stalled because Special Economic Zones were proposed based on political considerations rather than economic viability.
• Pakistan failed to account for essential ground realities for industrial zones, such as the availability of skilled labor, raw materials, and necessary infrastructure, leading to a lack of interest from Chinese investors.
• The 75-year-old 'all-weather friendship' between the two nations has historically focused on security and defense, making the transition to a comprehensive economic partnership challenging due to structural and planning deficiencies.