The Pakistani army has recently taken control over the $60 billion Chinese-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Last year, Pakistan created the CPEC Authority (CPECA) to take majority control over execution of CPEC projects. The civilian government criticized the CPECA as they believed it overstepped its role and infringed upon the role of the state, and eventually the CPECA ordinance expired. In recent months, the Pakistani government has been working to not only reinstate the CPECA, the legality of which was widely questioned, but also grant Pakistani military executive control over the Corridor. Additionally, the leader of the CPECA, Lt. Asim Saleem Bajwa will report directly to Pakistani PM Imran Khan, which ultimately would grant the army even greater power and influence over the CPEC.
Sources say that direct military control over the CPEC actually serves China’s interests, as they believe it will expedite all CPEC projects and further their Belt and Road Initiative as they continue to increase influence across South Asia.
CPEC is a mutually beneficial relationship for Pakistan and China. On one hand, Pakistan leverages Chinese investment to develop infrastructure and maintain economic growth and stability. On the other, Pakistan is a strategic geopolitical location for China, as the corridor grants them access to the Arabian Sea, and therefore the Strait of Malacca; it ultimately offers them lucrative economic opportunity, as it greatly expands their influence and passage of trade into other key regions. China’s primary concern with CPEC has been addressing the lack of economic and political development and efficiency, and the end of the long term goal of CPEC is approaching in 2030. While critics believe that military control over the CPEC is corrupt and legally questionable, China hopes that this transference of power will bring greater stability and efficiency when developing Pakistan into the global trade hub which China needs.