BEIJING: Ten years since China unveiled the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Pakistan has experienced significant transformations brought about by mega projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which aim to leverage Pakistan’s strategic location to enhance its socio-economic conditions.
Fueling Pakistan’s energy renaissance
Power Crisis in Pakistan: Pakistan has grappled with a severe power shortage for years, with limited electricity access for its population.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been instrumental in ameliorating this crisis. It has contributed 9,740MW of power generation capacity within a short span of four years.
Diverse Energy Sources: CPEC power plants are not solely reliant on fossil fuels. They embrace coal reserves to provide cost-effective electricity, reducing Pakistan’s dependence on oil and gas.
Thar Block-1 Project: The Thar Block-1 Integrated Coal Mine Power Project, with an annual lignite output of 7.8 million tons and 1,320MW capacity, offers the most efficient energy source to millions in Pakistan, especially in the Thar region.
Renewable Energy Transition: CPEC also ushers in renewable energy initiatives, such as harnessing water and wind resources, optimizing Pakistan’s energy mix.
Job creation and empowerment
The initiative has generated a remarkable 236,000 jobs in Pakistan by the end of 2022, breathing life into local communities.
The jobs range from health and safety engineers, such as Azim ul Haq, who work at the 1263MW Punjab Power Plant, to professionals like Muhammad Waqas, the Director of Finance at the UEP 100MW wind farm in Jhimpir, who find rewarding careers within the burgeoning energy sector.
These jobs offer local residents not just employment but also opportunities to learn and grow. Many workers are from nearby areas, fostering a sense of pride and community.
Fostering social and economic development
CPEC’s substantial $25 billion investments in various sectors, including energy, IT, and transport, are the driving force behind social and economic progress.
Projects like the Thar Block-1 have actively contributed to the development of local areas, promising increased vitality.
Initiatives like the 49.5 MW Dawood Wind Power Project have breathed new life into closed schools, offering educational opportunities to children, as they reconstruct and refurbish these vital institutions.
The completion of Rashakai SEZ Phase 1 heralds a new era of industrial cooperation. It involves streamlining procedures and regulations for enterprises and promises to be a fruitful endeavor, as several enterprises have already embarked on their construction projects within the SEZ.
A decade of transformation
As a decade unfolds since the inception of the Belt and Road Initiative, Pakistan stands as a testament to the transformative power of this colossal project, ushering in prosperity, sustainability, and community development. The story of Pakistan exemplifies what the BRI can bring to countries along its route, heralding a promising future. —APP
