Pakistan and China Launch Five New Economic Corridors Under CPEC 2.0
Pakistan and China are set to commence work on five new economic corridors as part of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), according to a report by Radio Pakistan on Wednesday. This ambitious expansion is supported by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a collaborative civil-military body established by Pakistan to attract foreign investment.
The new corridors, which include the Innovation Corridor, Livelihood Corridor, Green Energy Corridor, Regional Development Corridor, and Employment Creation Corridor, signify a renewed focus on comprehensive development across multiple sectors. These corridors are expected to further enhance the impact of CPEC, which has already seen over 50 projects completed, with investments totaling $25 billion and an additional $65 billion earmarked for future infrastructure growth.
Despite these advancements, the initiative faces significant challenges, particularly from militant groups in Balochistan, where China is heavily invested in the Gwadar deep-sea port and other key projects. Recent attacks by separatist militants in the region, which claimed over 50 lives, have been linked to efforts to disrupt CPEC developments.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged these security concerns on Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding CPEC initiatives in Balochistan. Beijing has also expressed concerns about the safety of its nationals working in Pakistan, especially after incidents like the March attack that claimed the lives of six Chinese engineers working on a dam project in northwest Pakistan.
As Pakistan and China move forward with CPEC 2.0, ensuring the security and successful implementation of these new corridors remains a top priority.