THOUGH there is a general consensus in the country regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), smaller provinces like Balochistan and KP have some reservations about the western route of the corridor.

They believe that the western route is not at par with the eastern route, mostly passing through Punjab, which is likely to have greater economic benefits.

In this regard contradictory statements from various political circles and official spokesmen have created confusion. The KP government has said the western route as visualised today will deprive the smaller provinces of the CPEC’s benefits. A correct alignment of the western route, it feels, could give greater benefits to the people of the KP.

In my view, the reservations expressed by KP and Baluchistan should be addressed. Russia should also be asked to join the CPEC and invest as a partner, especially in the western route.

This route can be called RPEC, or any other suitable name. The western corridor will then provide easy access to the Central Asian states and Russia, which has always longed for a warm water port and for this very reason had invaded Afghanistan.

The Soviet Union has no doubt collapsed, but with the passage of time Russia has again emerged as a superpower. Foes have now become friends, and friends have become foes.

The joint military exercises by Russian soldiers in Pakistan testify to the change in policy. Russia and China, too, do not appear to be rivals and seem partners in progress.

A Russian involvement in the CPEC will result in a transfer of technical knowhow to Pakistan. The other two provinces, too, will benefit because the western route will remain connected to the rest of the CPEC.

Muhammad Aleem
Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2017