"The Economic Corridor is the main game changer for future dominance in this region for the use of the Middle East and Central Asian energy resources," said economic experts in the 'Pakistan Visionary Forum' conference held on Monday at the TECH Society Club. Experts included Professor Doctor Hasibullah, Dr Muhammad Sadiq, Chartered Accountant Omer Zaheer Meer, Engineer Iftikhar ul Haq, former state minister Qayyum Nizami, Jameel Gishkori, Engineer Abdul Majeed Khan, Zubair Sheikh and Salman Abid.
Omer Zaheer said the corridor had the potential to change the status of Pakistan as the main transit and a business hub for 80 percent of the trade in this region. "The benefits accruing to Pakistan will be tremendous. The income only from transit trade will change the status of Pakistan from an aid seeking country to an aid giving country. The sky will be the only limit if GOP uses this opportunity in the right manner and develops policies to encourage industrialisation on the special economic zones being visualised on CPEC. Implementation of this project will not be a smooth sailing since such a major change will not be easily digested by many international forces whose interests clash with the benefits of CPEC.
"The role of regional leadership being envisioned for India could be in danger of not materialising and Pakistan could suddenly become more important for various countries of the region for ensuring their trade and access to energy. India has already started showing its intentions through activating RAW in terrorist activities in Pakistan and its efforts to influence China through its premier's visit to that country trying to tarnish the image of Pakistan. GOP especially the armed forces of Pakistan have however decided to squarely face the Indian designs. The United States will also not be sitting idle allowing China becoming a dominant force in this region.
"The importance of the United Arab Emirates, especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi, will also be adversely affected by the development of the deep sea port of Gwadar and since such some adverse reactions in the form of any efforts to sabotage CPEC can be expected. Even Iran which can offer an alternate route to Afghanistan and Central Asian States will not be very happy with CPEC."
He, as were most of the participants, was hopeful that the CPEC would never meet the fate of the Kalabagh Dam. Engineer Haq then highlighted the expected benefits of this major venture but said the institutions of Pakistan were rather weak and would need to be strengthened to be able to use such big foreign investments expected in CPEC.
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