CPEC has been called a game changer project of China and Pakistan. There was a wave of happiness among the people of Pakistan in general and people of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in particular. A Country like China is investing in developing backward areas and same thing should be done by Pakistan rather than focusing on Lahore and Karachi. Balochistan and KP were supposed to be the main beneficiaries of the CPEC but not after the alleged route change.
On 30 December 2015, Prime Minister of Pakistan inaugurated a single road in Zhob under CPEC which was actually financed by Asian Development Bank. When this issue was revealed on social media then, this decision was widely criticized by people in both Balochistan and KP.
Federal government has a good chance to placate the smaller provinces with mega-projects under CPEC and develop those areas with priority to make the federation stronger.
Fazal Ameen Kakar
