China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC): A Study of Obstacles, and Challenges in Hazara Region

Abstract

Hazara division is the part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province located in the north of
Pakistan. China and Pakistan are connected through Hazara region and Khunjrab pass.
China is the emerging international economic power; it is in the process of becoming a
new actor in the international political economy. China Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC) will improve the infrastructure, accelerate industrialization, and reduce
unemployment in Pakistan and resultantly the living standards of the people of the
country in general and that of Hazara region in particular. On the other hand, it will also
damage the already deteriorated environmental condition in the area and exhaust
already limited resources of the area. Though the project will bring development and
prosperity in the countries and nationalities from where it passes but it will also bring
challenges for the areas and people inhibiting the region connected to the road. The
impacts may be direct or indirect in influencing the regions. It may impact the natural
resources of the country. The arrival of multinational companies in the country will
start the over consumption and over exploitation of the natural resources of the
country.