Fazal Sherani
To begin with, present state of an individual has a direct relation to the future of the individual and for future we use a word ‘prediction’ much relying on luck. In 21st century, an enlightened era, where reasoning and logic is on summit, one can change the luck only when s/he is aware of his/her present state while identifying the changes one can adopt in future. China is one of the giant economies of the world. It formulated the policy of (One Belt One Road), which can be seen in shape of much known CPEC, China Pakistan Economic Corridor, today.
China wishes to lift itself from recent position to be the world’s first economic giant in near future. For this ambition, China has decided to spend around 46 billion dollars in Pakistan. To be very clear about 46 billion dollar project, the project will change the infrastructure in Pakistan and especially in Balochistan. This mega project aims to connect Gawader Port to China’s north-western region of Xinjiang. Definitely, there will be a network of highways, railway tracks, pipelines and other facilities related to the world’s 70% trade centre (CPEC). Similarly, due to its best policy, china will spread its connectivity towards Central Asia, Middle East and Africa.
By this, not only can CPEC change the shape of the entire region, it will be the game changer for the region as well. However, building roads, markets, railway tracks to change the map will not be something new. In fact, concrete buildings and roads cannot change the fate of a Nation. Human development completely rests on human intelligence. History reveals the fact that only education can produce intellectuals in the society.
Ideally, the intellectuals are responsible for turning the fate of the society. Now this trade policy gives rise to so many questions. For which, a reality-based analysis can answer only.
To contextualize it, we can have an assessment of the level of development in Balochistan and define the fate of Balochistan from the very fact, that current literacy rate in the province stands at an abysmal ratio of 43% whereas the Male literacy is 55% while female literacy is only 25%. Furthermore, Balochistan has a great importance for not only Pakistan but also for the world due to its Natural resources. I am very confident to state that our (43%) educated bunch is unfamiliar with the wealth lying beneath its feet. However, the remaining uneducated 57% masses are even unable to write their names in their native language.
In the multibillion dollar project, China has fixed a rate of amount to be paid off on 46 billion dollar project and, for this; Pakistan will pay the price of it as a loan. That said, Pakistan has to pay 3 billion dollars per year as set rate of return by China. It is the moment to guess, if the 46 billion dollar project, invested by China, is going to change the fate of (43%) educated masses, (57%) uneducated people will reap the benefits hardly. But for returning the loan, every adult of Pakistan either educated or uneducated will be compelled to pay. It’s something to be very funny which prevails among media channels and especially in Balochistan about CPEC to have become the magic wand which can change the fate of Balochistan. Simply, to clear the illusion, that with such unlimited wealth, people in Balochistan are still living under the claws of tribalism.
Similarly, East India Company came to our region for the sake of trade and in a result overthrew the Mughals and took the control over entire sub-continent. CPEC, in this context, to be known as a fate changer, remains an illusion.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are those of the author and Balochistan Voices not necessarily agrees with them.
Share your comments!
