Strategic Importance of CPEC’s Eastern Route for Economic Hubs and Zones
The eastern route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been highlighted as the most advantageous for regional connectivity, economic growth, and provincial representation. It offers significant socio-economic benefits and strengthens trans-border connectivity. During a consultative session led by Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal, experts recognized Islamabad and Dera Ismail Khan as key economic and transport hubs due to their strategic locations.
Member infrastructure, Waqas Anwar, emphasized that the eastern route is the most viable option, offering the shortest travel time. This route interconnects major cities such as Gwadar, Karachi, and Islamabad, extending to the Pakistan-China border at Khunjerab. While a combined central-eastern route is the shortest, it underrepresents Sindh, a concern raised during the session.
The eastern route also ensures a balanced infrastructure distribution, aligning with provincial populations. Islamabad and D.I. Khan, central to the route, are ideal locations for special economic zones, transforming them into logistics hubs. Despite challenges such as the vulnerability of Gilgit to emergencies, the eastern route remains operationally robust.
Minister Iqbal reiterated the government's commitment to leveraging Pakistan's transport infrastructure for economic growth, emphasizing the need to transform corridors into industrial and commercial hubs. He called for detailed business plans and feasibility studies to establish economic zones, attracting both domestic and international investments. Additionally, human capital development, through vocational training, is crucial for empowering local communities and ensuring sustainable development along these corridors.