View from Pakistan on Belt and Road Initiative

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Despite significant accomplishments, the Belt and Road Initiative still faces challenges – from security to geopolitical changes. As an active participant in the Initiative, Pakistan already sees benefits from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is under construction.

To find out more, CGTN traveled to Pakistan's capital, Islamabad and spoke with a media professional and an army veteran.

Makhdoom Baber is a renowned investigative journalist in Pakistan. He has survived assassination attempts, struggled against odds, and has dealt with the never-ending financial crisis to continue publishing the newspaper he runs.

Baber, also the president of a media-friendly exchange association between China and Pakistan, said the significance of the Belt and Road Initiative cannot be over-emphasized, and the people in Pakistan need to know more than the CPEC.

Pakistan’s Gwadar Port is a part of the CPEC. /AFP Photo

“I think more people should gain information about the comprehension of Chinese leadership's basic idea of Belt&Road initiative,” Baber said, adding that dealing with external challenges is only one part of the solution.

The other is to boost mutual understanding, mainly through people-to-people exchanges, he explained, saying the role of media is of particular importance in this regard.

He said the media is the first thing needed against conspiracy while expanding the scope of the media and creating awareness is also essential.

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the inaugural ceremony to mark the start of trade activities through the CPEC in Gwadar. /AFP Photo‍

Speaking of the challenges faced by the CPEC, a Senior Colonel of Pakistan army, Dilawar Parviz Gilani also echoed Babar's sentiments.

He said there are elements working against the CPEC and troubles might be visible.

The security paradigm in place at the moment is reactive, he said adding that it should be proactive.

Pakistan has deployed fifteen thousand military personnel at 34 projects along the CPEC rout.

Crew members of a Chinese ship take pictures with Pakistani security officials in Gwadar. /AFP Photo

The colonel, a decorated war hero, praised the army for its role in providing security to the projects.

He said the Belt and Road Initiative contains the key to solving shared challenges on the global scale, adding that the Initiative offers enormous possibilities for the whole world.

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