The China-Pakistan economic corridor and underdevelopment of the Balochi region  

While the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor strategically benefits Beijing, concerns are rife that the infrastructure initiative was worsening inequalities and neglecting local Balochistan development.

Despite the seven decades of bad examples in Tibet and East Turkestan, China is now focused on exploiting Balochistan beyond its borders. Balochistan is a region divided between Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, inhabited mainly by the Baloch people.

The ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has triggered dissatisfaction and unrest, especially among the Balochis who don’t see it as a path to prosperity.

Empty promises

A large part of Balochistan is in Pakistan. Home to abundant reserves of natural gas, coal, copper, and other valuable minerals, Balochistan is Pakistan's largest and most resource-rich province. Despite this wealth, the region remains one of the poorest and most underdeveloped parts of the country.

As a major element of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), this ambitious project promotes large-scale infrastructure growth and economic collaboration with Pakistan. Yet, the prosperity and regional development promised by the Chinese investors and Pakistani government have not materialized as many had hoped.

With their resources benefiting others while they receive little in return, the Baloch people have long complained of economic and political marginalization.

Dr Naseem Baloch, Chairman of the Baloch National Movement, has been one of the most vocal critics. At a recent side event at the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, he described CPEC as a "path to exploitation." He argued that instead of uplifting the region, the project was worsening inequalities and dispossessing the Baloch people of their land and resources.

Strategic value

Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Li Qiang recently affirmed China's readiness to collaborate with Pakistan on the CPEC project. He hoped to make it a model for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. According to CGTN.com, Li claimed that the CPEC had achieved fruitful results since its launch, thanks to joint efforts from both sides. Furthermore, he added that it has played a positive role in promoting Pakistan's socio-economic development and regional integration.

However, Dr Baloch says the CPEC has forcibly displaced entire villages in favor of infrastructure projects like the Gwadar Port. At the same time, basic amenities such as clean drinking water, electricity, and healthcare remain out of the local population's reach, raising questions about the underlying purpose of the CPEC project.

CPEC offers significant strategic advantages for China. Spanning 3,000 kilometers, the corridor links Kashgar in China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region to Gwadar Port on Pakistan's Arabian Sea coast.

Gwadar, in particular, holds immense geostrategic value due to its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz. It constitutes a critical maritime choke point through which a significant portion of the world's oil passes. By securing control over Gwadar, China gains direct access to the Arabian Sea. This allows it to bypass the more vulnerable South China Sea and the Malacca Strait.

Balochistan's reality

In addition to its maritime significance, CPEC enables China to secure its energy supplies and expand its influence in South Asia. It offers Beijing a faster, cheaper route to Middle Eastern markets and energy sources, bypassing existing routes that are both longer and more vulnerable to geopolitical tensions. As China faces increased security and competition from global powers in regions like the South China Sea, access to the Arabian Sea provides a valuable alternative for securing its strategic and economic interests.

However, while the CPEC serves as a significant strategic win for China, the people of Balochistan, whose land and resources are integral to the project, have been left behind. For example, Gwadar, a focal point of CPEC, suffers from severe infrastructure deficiencies. Residents still struggle to access basic services, and the promised economic benefits of the port have yet to materialize.

Instead, Gwadar has become increasingly militarized. The Pakistani government has fenced off large sections of the city, effectively restricting access to its own people. As Dr Baloch pointed out, this militarization is not just about controlling the Baloch people but also about securing Chinese interests in the region.

Promised jobs went to Chinese workers

The corridor was originally projected to be a game-changer for Pakistan's economy. Many expected it to create thousands of jobs, modernize infrastructure, and boost economic growth. Several years later, these promises remain largely unfulfilled.

According to critics, the majority of contracts and jobs related to CPEC are awarded to Chinese companies and workers. They leave little or nothing for the local workforce. Besides, the project has burdened Pakistan with additional debt as Islamabad must borrow heavily from China to finance the project.

Pakistan's already fragile economy is now facing immense pressure from these Chinese loans. Concerns are now mounting over whether Pakistan will be able to repay them.

A tool of exploitation

Many Pakistanis are also skeptical of the long-term benefits of CPEC. They see it as a means for China to expand its influence and exploit Pakistan's resources. Much of the economic gain flows back to China, and Pakistan is bearing the brunt of the environmental, social, and financial costs. Therefore, voices against the CPEC are coming to the forefront regarding who will benefit from the project.

As far as China is concerned, the project will give it access to critical maritime routes, energy security, and increased influence in South Asia.

For Pakistan, the benefits are more ambiguous. While there are certainly some short-term gains, such as infrastructure development and foreign investment, they appear to be outweighed by long-term costs. These include mounting debt and growing domestic unrest.

However, for the people of Balochistan, the situation is even more precarious. CPEC has led to human rights abuses and the further militarization of the Baloch people. Entire communities have been displaced, and Beijing is being enriched by the region's resources.

As Dr Baloch indicated, CPEC is not a development project. Rather, it is a tool for exploitation, designed to serve the interests of foreign powers while leaving the Baloch people behind. It is appropriate for the international community to make China accountable for the human rights abuses and environmental degradation associated with the project.