Analysis of the Impact of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on the insurgency in Balochistan and Options for Conflict Resolution

Abstract

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a ‘flag-ship project’ for China, which has the potential to modernize Pakistan through economic development. There are, however, major challenges as well as opportunities for Pakistan that may have implications for peace and conflict. This paper focuses on one such problem, the issue of political and economic autonomy in Balochistan. It seeks to analyze the impact of CPEC on the problem in Balochistan and propose options for the resolution of the conflict. Through the employment of conflict analysis tools, like the conflict tree and mapping the conflict, this study tries to identify the parties to the conflict and their relationship, the conflict issues, and the interests and needs of the activists and people of Balochistan. Here the regional and state level factors have also been identified that can have a positive impact on conflict resolution otherwise it may create a hindrance in achieving the objectives of CPEC.