CPEC and Its Socio-Economic Impact on Gilgit-Baltistan: A Critical Review
Abstract
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is a transformative development program that aims to enhance regional connectivity and economic growth. Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), a strategically important region in northern Pakistan, serves as a crucial gateway for CPEC, linking China’s Xinjiang province to Pakistan. This critical review examines the socio-economic impact of CPEC on GB, highlighting both its potential benefits and challenges. On the positive side, CPEC has spurred infrastructure development, improved road networks, and facilitated trade opportunities, leading to increased tourism and investment in GB. The project has created employment opportunities for the local population and improved access to markets, fostering economic growth. Furthermore, energy projects under CPEC aim to address power shortages, enhancing industrial and commercial activities in the region. However, concerns remain regarding the equitable distribution of benefits, environmental degradation, and socio-political implications. Local communities often fear marginalization, as major economic gains appear to favor external investors rather than indigenous populations. The large-scale infrastructure projects pose ecological threats to GB’s fragile environment, potentially affecting water resources and biodiversity. Political and legal ambiguities regarding GB’s constitutional status further complicate the full realization of CPEC’s benefits, raising concerns about governance and local representation in decision-making processes. This review underscores the need for an inclusive development strategy that prioritizes the interests of GB’s local population. Sustainable policies, environmental safeguards, and greater political integration are essential for ensuring that CPEC serves as a catalyst for balanced and long-term socio-economic progress.
Keywords: CPEC, Gilgit-Baltistan Socio-Economic Impact, Infrastructure Development Sustainable Growth
