This report is incomplete. It hasn't mention which route it will take to reach Karachi? Will it be China-Iran-Pakistan route?

There goes your domestic manufacturing to oblivion. All the best

Which route will it take? from where it will enter into Pakistan and link with the local lines, I guess not going through the Karakurram highway? And the Pakistani railway, the last we heard about it, it was in complete shambles. Makes you wonder....

I pray for Pakistan industries!.. reminds me of East India Company.... rest good luck!...

Good New for Pakistan economy !!

"Direct rail and sea freight service"? What about the non-existing hundreds of kilometers rail track between China and Pakistan's nearest train station at Havelian?

This is a good start of flourishing trade and economic investments between Pakistan and China. Surely, road and rail activities will not only boost intra-trade activities but will raise image of Pakistan gradually as a stable country.

Very Very Good for Pakistan and China both. May Pakistani Government use these benefits for the sake of common people.

Cargo will be unloaded at the last Chinese rail station and then it will continue to Hazara (Pakistan) on trucks. From there onwards cargo will be sent to Karachi thru rail.

@Sajid Iqbal perhaps due to security reasons?

Not clear. Probably the containers would be transferred to trucks at Kashgar and then again loaded back on another train at Havelian. Even then it is a good beginning.

@ khan How Exactly?

@ khan what Pakistan is going to benefit. In fact the goods should flow from Pakistan to China and not vice a versa

Oh my God. Oh my God. I just wanted to say Oh my God!!! Poor Modi

@Sajid Iqbal - The report is incomplete. The gap in railway line is being filled with road transport. This should have been mentioned. It is a positive sign as the gap will be filled anyhow for better economics.

There you go 'The giddy brigade' and other critiques. Gawadar has a lot more to offer.

India Must be in a state of shock

@GUPTA domestic manufacture will be in partnerships. Now goods sold will be China-Pak manufactured. The benefits are gargantuan. Envious will wish it their nefarious way, but they will end on heap of despair. Resolve kashmir IOK freedom and join in.

@GUPTA I notice with pleasure that Indians try to find a flaw in every gain that pakistan make. please read the news in detail. it is meant for export. ofcourse the news is in English.

@ Dbc how we benefit just by small $46 billion , that's all.

@hammad india is on life support.

Silk route is the revival of the historic passage through the impossible high mountains that made the sub-continent isolated from the rest of the world. Removal of natural barriers in the trade routes are always good for humanity.

@Amar keep praying while we progress amazingly. When you stop praying, let us tell you what happened.

Good news for Pakistan Railway as PR was suffering losses due to scarcity of cargo in PR part. The report does not describe maritime route. Request to Dawn.com to update it.

@Sajid Iqbal Dear China has no border with Iran. how it can ship cargo through Iran. it clearly says that goods sent from China to karachi.

I just want to say "HURRAY"

I am really happy at this news.

Does Pak govt ever think before jumping in obviously good looking things without looking deeper. What about small manufacturers? Connecting Pak with outsourcing hub (China) is NOT good for local businesses.

Trolls should praise it and admire otherwise close it and take the high wire. Nothing in between. A reality with global impact is taking place in the region , during all your life times and we Pakistanis made it happen.

So sad for shining neighbor.

Chineese made railway in Canada more than 100 years ago. Lots of tunnels and almost all in mountains. Making new rail line parallel to KKH from Kashghar to Havalian will be piece of cake for them. How many years it takes I don't know

Any guess how Pakistan is going to be benefited?

Can't wait to lay hands on all those goodies.

Welcome to the club.

Good news..

@GUPTA. Transit services will not hurt local industry. Rather it will offer more opportunities.

Strange. Where's the direct rail track?

@Rashid , Instead of saying, " So sad for shining neighbor.", you could have said, "We are very happy about this positive development in Pakistan."

I have few facts 1) cpec will cut off transpirtation by 50% , will make cheapets chineese good cheaper and eventually it will lead to the flood of chineese goods into pakistan as a result either pakistan's manufacturing industry will go into losses 2) the companies who still try to compete with chineese goods will be overtaken by china by getting most of its shares 3) when will pakistan see its own potential rather than outsourcing its future to china? 4) what will happen to the pakistan's industry? Has pakistan decided to give up and do guzara on comission?

@GUPTA "There goes your domestic manufacturing to oblivion" Listen dude, let's mind our own business. We have been watching each other for a long time, look what we made ourselves and what they have done to themselves. If the past is of any indication, they will follow the same trajectories as they have till now. We have seen what happens to whatever they touch, so not to have any concerns. All the very best to both nations.

Pakistan domestic manufactures will be affected very badly in near future .

Anything which adds to region's prosperity must be appreciated. Best of luck from An Indian.

Its good beginning for Pakistan, if trade will improve economy will come up. Common people will get worth of the Rs spent. Look out of the world will change towards Pakistan. If any one can help Pakistan its China at this junction of time. Best of Luck.

The point is how much % Pak get out if this..

I noticed all the negativity in the comments section. If you have nothing good to say than dont say it at all. This is a positive step towards greater integration between the economies of Pakistan and China. If you are not happy about it then ignore it and go live in your cave and remain in the stoneage and let the rest of us Pakistani's move forward.

Completely at the mercy of a foreign country.... What is the contribution of Pakistan in CPEC other than providing land

@CommOn sense how? china exporting these things anyway through its existing shipping route to world! How it impacts the small businesses in Pakistan? when these small businesses are not exporting competing products to the world. Think before you write!

@CommOn sense .....if you are ready to pay more for your local inferior products....?then dont blame low quality of our products....???

There's no rail link with chinA

It is great to see the excitement of CPEC in Pakistan and hopefully the benefits envisaged will be made real. One thing that I hope is being planned is manufacturing in Pakistan to export back to China. I hope discussions have taken place with China in developing manufacturing in Pakistan as the cost of labour must be cheaper there. I understand China's goal is to concentrate on export but it would be a great sign of friendship if they help Pakistan develop this and also assist Pakistan by being consumers of the output.

Growing towards stability

This was possible even before.... so is it a first?

What are the goods loaded onto train and what is the final destination

Karachi industries will flourish with Chinese products and rest of Pakistan would reap the benefits!! I think Chinese have win-win situation in CPEC and people of Pakistan will know the consequences soon.

That's a great piece of news for the region. Pakistan shall now change the game in the region!

When will this train reach Lahore Station?!

@Gupta. What is wrong with Chinese manufacturing industry. Why do we need a manufacturing industry of our own. We can have other industries like truck driving and cargo loading, unloading industries. That ways we can compliment our friends.

I fail to understand how does this or CPEC initiatives benefit Pakistan manufacturers and people ? can somebody explain. now don't say transit fees...which is only for local govts...

@Amar This is only about train starting from one end to another and not about any industries....sustaining over a period of time itself is an achievement

Thanks to China. Pakistan has started thinking of economic development, industries, trade, commerce. Now no time for trivial self defeating activities.

Way forward let the focus be on state of the art advance technology in every field like India.

Not enough details given in this report.

Good luck to my pakistani brothers. Wish they prosper. The pain of hunger and poverty is the same for all. I have close pakistani friends. Wish our borders vanish. The armament sellers would hate it.

Bravo!

At present this China-Pakisran railway transport seems quite ambigiuous as to which countries the train will pass to reach Paksian and Karachi.

great News indeed. pakistanis are proud of China's time tested friendship with Pakistan. The government should ask china to help revive Pakistan Steel and make it a profit centre.

@hammad - I don't know why we need to bring India into this discussion. Let's discuss pros and cons from Pak perspective and see what more can be done to make it a win-win deal for both countries.

@Sajid Iqbal, Once the train gets onto existing Pakistan railway, it automatically connects with Iran if it is destined for Karachi or Zahidan. New track under CPEC is yet to be built anyway.

Good start and economic connectivity of China with the rest of the world via Pakistan.

I am very happy. I want stable neighbor. Comman man will get job and stability. All problem will automatically solved, once they get job and stability. Do good and rest will automatically best.

@Amar, Read history. England did not have land link/border with India and need a spot to control and had lot to trade from India to UK.

@ khan .how is it a good news for Pakistani Economy.Let us see what is going on. Chinese products traveling on a Chinese train from China to Karachi/ Gawadar port and then loaded to Chinese ships.Pakistani custom officials look at the shipping documents without opening the containers to verify the goods to the documents and give green light. Do you see any Pakistani element on this train/ route except for additional custom personnel at our own expense. The way I see it, this freight train has no effect on our economy except damaging our tracks and polluting our air. Do we get any toll tax from the Chinese companies for using our railway tracks/ roads. The answer is No.Please tell me, Am I missing something?

Good News

@ khan this is a part for the corrupt elite class in Pakistan, they will do so much corruption that the benefits will not trickle down to ordinary people.

Alhamdolillah - good news,

All those who are questioning route should see the video.From yunan it will go goangzhou then will be loaded on ship for Karachi. An to the haters keep hating.It made our resolve strong.

@Sukhera : You are right.

may it be the first of millions more...

@GUPTA yes you should be afraid, though for us Pakistanis this is very good news of progress.

@GUPTA Thanks for the Concern

Your markets will be flooded with Chinese goods, good bye to your local manufacturing industries.

All the best !!

@Zak actually CPEC is now worth over $51 Billion, $46 billion was just the initial investment, it has since risen due to other projects being added on.

I'm not sure what is more enjoyable the good news, or the indian comments green with envy,

@Sukhera Please Study CPEC.... Pakistani Track will be worn out???

Wonderful news.

Why all Indians are soo jealous of Pakistan???

@GHiya : what is unloading industry?

@CommOn sense Why keep lower quality goods artificially alive? If someone's making divert resources to something the others aren't doing. Good's industry has only a about two decades before export around the globe starts to dramatically decline.

@Khan You're so hung up on manufacturing. Why make something someone else is making? Why keep weak industries up. The moment something cheaper shows and better quality shows up, the funds are saved and diverted to something better. Why does Pakistan have to go towards manufacturing in this digital and virtual world.

@Sukhera It's basic economics if you don't understand. Back in the 1800's US was a big country but they needed to connect East and West coasts and everything in between and they embarked on massive rail and road links. This massive investment not only connected the states but also started the economic activity in the smaller states along the route. This is what made America into the super power that it is today.

Whenever you have trade, you will get economic activity of varying kinds along the trade route. It's a win-win situation for both China and Pakistan no matter which way you see it. A Chinese trade route thru Pakistan also means we get security protection from China in case India or US have other plans.

The people below haven't cared to read: The train is between Kunming and Guangzhou. From Guangzhou to Karachi by ship. Congratulations! More people will have better living.

@Gupta its none of your(Indian) business to worry, We know what to do and what not

Good news and congratulations to both the nations. It is hoped that it will enhance trade between the two countries and beyond.

@GUPTA - Depends on how you look at !

But this is all going in favor of China and their economy. For us to use CPEC effectively we need to open access to India and Afghanistan else it will be a liability for us.

Indian readers are always so concerned about Pakistan and its wellbeing. Please stop worrying so much we will be ok ;)

Brilliant - Keep the good work

@lafanga . I am not against building infrastrucrure in the country and building factorirs to build cars, trucks, generators and water pumps. If another wants to use our roads or rail , its fair to pay the toll tax so that we can maintain the roads and railways. we have very high unemploment and need jobs. This coridor does not bring any jobs.

Won't impact Pakistani manufacturing because its' market is already flooded with Chinese products. It would have be been better if Pakistani products could get into Chinese market without any hindrance.

@Prince of Delhi

Those who are apprehensive about the project should keep in mind that the youth has started focusing more on financial strength of the country first. CPEC will give rise to new entrepreneurs. It has changed the thinking ..it is therefore a game changer

Well done. Congrats from India.

As an Indian I should welcome this if creates more jobs for pakistani local ppl.

Chinese don't talk, they deliver. On the other hand some nations just talk and can't deliver jack!

Yet another feather in a Chinese hat.

Poor Indians and Modi. Must be very anxious for the welfare for Pakistan and poor Pakistanis. We Pakistanis should always keep them updated as they are very concerned about Pakistan!!!

@lafanga - the analogy of US is okay but connecting east and west coasts of the US - whichever way the main benefit was still within the US.

For CPEC to provide Pakistan with growth - Pakistan needs to make goods and provide services for export. As a friend, China should try and help Pakistan - set up factories and also encourage exports to China itself. For the infrastructure - they should try and give more jobs to locals and if skills do not exist - work with Pakistan to build up the talents of the people through apprenticeships and training.

CPEC seems to generate an emotional response - but what is needed is level headed thinking by all. The majority of people even in India I am guessing would like to see Pakistan thrive as this will focus everyone's energies on what is normal everywhere in the world - jobs, education, prosperity, health etc.

@subrat Please worry about your country and millions of poor hungry Indians. We Pakistanis are fully capable of looking after ourselves. Thank You

@Hamza feeling is mutual! :-)

@Omar How is it good for Pakistan? Would you like to explain? This is a ship coming from china to Pakistan with Chinese goods.

CPEC will make Pakistan No.1 country in the world in 2021 !!!

@Sukhera you are right

@Asif . Pakistan must stop this one way traffic. China should remove all the Tariffs and the Chinese market should be accessible to Pakistani products like our markets are open to them. If we continue the same trend for importing everything from China and don't impose any duties on their products to save our industries from Chinese dumping, this will ruin our businesses and millions of workers will lose jobs. Our industries can't compete with China because of Mass production, government incentives and Currency manipulation. President elect Donald Trump has promised to the US public to designate China as currency manipulator on the first day when he takes over. Its only fair to ask for the same treatment what we provide to the Chinese.

The CPEC eggs are still not hatched. Don't count chickens so fast..

@ khan - Good News for China

Well...Don't know what the confusion is about...the report clearly says goods from Yunnan will be transported by rail to Guangzhou and from there by sea to Karachi. Probably intended for local consumption in the Pakistani market. The readers should look into a map and realise that the only viable route from Guangzhou to Karachi is via the sea..

All comments are on extreme sides i.e. CPEC will destroy local industry or CPEC will be a game changer etc. Let's not ignore the fact that regional cooperation is always good for participating nations. Moreover, progress is not all about manufacturing; services can also make a difference. Let's take example of Dubai...what's it manufacturing? It's a good example of progress made through becoming a hub. There are so many benefits associated with increased business activity; no matter even if it is related with only trade passage. In geopolitical scanario, CPEC definitely gonna bring positive change. Productive use of available resources is always good for all

Has anybody read this article properly. It talks about rail route from Kunming to Guangzhou port(which i assume already exists). From Guangzhou to Karachi through sea route(new one). Where is CPEC in this? They just have opened a new sea route from Guangzhou to Karachi. I would have assumed there are already ships going from Guangzhou to Karachi. I assume the good that are being shipped are for Pakistani market.

Xinjiang is surplus oil producing province of China, it does not need any oil transported to it from Gwadhar.

some mistakes in translation...from Yunnan to Guangzhou on land, and then to Karachi by sea? where is the CPEC route? the quoted route is already used by China!

When the Chinese ship loaded with these containers reaches Karachi, what will one do with them? Are they meant to be an import for the country or will they despatched eleswhere on another ship? The whole thing is pretty confusing at present.

Prosperity or slavery; it all depends how the deal was made; did our deal makers got kick backs? Did they put the country's future before their personal interests? Things will be clear with the passage of time.

So what is it this shipment of 500 tonnes that we are buying from China? And how does it help Pakistan economy?

@AMBIKAPATHI M. False. Pak based manufacturing is now increasing by 10-times, and more to come in sub-sectors. The macroeconomic effect.

@JSR. A lot.

Thumbs Up ..

Keep moving

Initials hurdles will soon be settled

If sea route is cheaper why CPEC?

I am worried because flourishing trade with China happens only one way!

so, yet again our govt is buying expensive....

@Jibboo You are right. The train is within China, from Kunming to Guangzhou (formerly Canton) which is roughly across Hong Kong. The journey of goods from Guangzhou to Karachi is by ships - passing through Malacca strait - which has been typical route for bilateral trade between China and Pakistan.

@Sukhera. Yes. Your premise of questions is false. You are missing everything.

@COOL BREEZE or maybe you could next time address tbose ppl across the border that try find the smallest of flaws in pak.

We must demand that MoU for CPEC be made public

@Jawwad Chinese labourers participated in the making of the rails in Canada but with the supervision and expertise of the Intelligent Canadians , so it was not made in china.

Its a win-win for China...and doomsday for Pakistani industries...China will keep pumping in cheap exports to Pakistan and ultimately destroy Pakistani economy...I hope this is clear to all who are rejoicing this !!

@Jalbani Baloch surely right

@lafanga great analyzation!

Great news for Pakistan's economic future, all the credit for this great vision goes to the Chinese leadership. Pakistan's leadership lacked such vision and has been slow in implementing it with vigor and enthusiasm.

Indian leadership is busy trying to subvert it as it can't see Pakistan prosper. If Indian leaders were sincere, they would welcome CPEC. Indian and Pakistani leaders would rather destroy each other with nuclear bombs. They're serious threat to world peace.

@subrat ....Thank you for your sincere comments. The people of Pakistan appreciate Indians who wish Pakistan well and have welcomed CPEC. Obviously this trade route is not against India, or any other country. It will help the whole region, after decades of foreign wars imposed by Soviet Union and later by the US. These poor people denounce wars, as they want peace. As neighbors lets live as friends and play Cricket, Hockey and Kabbadi. The people of Pakistan wish the people of India well.

India should go ahead to drill for oil in South China sea & export Brahmos to Vietnam.

@Niaz Look at a map. Shipping is from Kunmig to the eastern port city of Guangzhou and from there through the Strait of Malacca to Karachi by ship. The shipping is not through Pakistan, just the destination. Pakistan may still benefit from this if Karachi becomes a distribution centre to other countries.

This is great news for all of Pakistan but sadly none of the media is reporting or celebrating. They are too busy reporting on gossips about panama leaks. Leaks that were deliberately done to defame Putin. But stupid as we are we want to destroy ourselves. We don"t need enemies.

@Prince of Delhi India's train are vintage 150 years old with patchwork of sixties technology and recent derailing accident (in UP) is a clear testimony how far India has to go before it can claim itself embracing modern technology compared to China that is building thousands of kilometers of bullet trains every year.

Hold on guys, if they are transporting material from Kunming, capital of Yunnan, for port city of Guangzhou which is an eastern port, why do they need CPEC?

@tru Infrastructure has always brought positive changes in terms of economic/industrial activities but infrastructure of CEPEC proportion will definitely bring revolutionary changes all around in Pakistan economy.

This is a sea route

"A cargo train loaded with 500 tonnes of commodities left Kunming, capital of Yunnan, for port city of Guangzhou from where the cargo will be loaded on ships and transported to Karachi, marking the opening of the new route."

So the route is as follows: yunan---->New Freight Train---->guangzhou port---->sea---->strait of malacca--->Indian Ocean-->sri lanka--->Arabian sea--->Karachi port--->your local market. Direct transportation of finest produce of yunan to you. Further it also says.."The route helps locals businesses connect with the world market," a representative from the New Silk Road Yunnan Limited said. The new service is said to reduce the transport cost by over 50 per cent." So you should now expect products from yunan at 50%discount. Hurray. Also "The service is a part of China's Maritime Silk Road initiative of which the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project (CPEC) is an extension." Pay attention to the word maritime which is important here.

"cargo will be loaded on ships and transported to Karachi, marking the opening of the new route from Gaungzhou". I fail to understand which is new route here? Gaungzhou is a port city near Hong Kong and so is Karachi, where is the new rail link between China and Pakistan?

Indians too worried about our domestic industry... i think we should work harder to complete CPEC now... LMAO

@Amar I believe China economy is so big and prosperious, therefore, they dont care of invade and influence pak industry, cause pak is so small market. china only pay attantion to the stratigic relation with pak, and they really cherish the friendship with pak, even the friendship is going down, since pak is weaker and chin is stronger day by day.

Hope it will improve the lives of Pakistan! Best!

@GUPTA mr,Pakistan steel in Karachi is been leased to china company(in process) + Karachi electric company sold to shanghai electric company.

What is Pakistan going to export via CPEC road, rail and sea network? Name one thing please.

@STARZAN . I have an open mind and I am asking a question what I am missing as regards to benefits for Pakistan. Please name a few so that I can understand the benefits to Pakistan of CPEC. I can see all the benefits to China including saving millions of dollars on shipping costs and Time but absolutely nothing for Pakistan. The transit route for Chinese products to Indian Ocean is a boom for them. To me Its the same thing as using the Suez canal In Egypt or Panama Canal in Panama but Egypt is earning over 5 billion dollars in revenue from the ships using the canal while Pakistan is barred from levying any taxes for the next 40 years. There is no such thing as free lunch and Chinese gave us a loan at high interest rate to build the infrastructure and we have to pay it back with interest while they are one sho are using it heavily to their advantage.We need smart people to negotiate on our behalf, who look after our interests.How we are going to pay this huge loan with Interest?

@CommOn sense , dum dum,it's for EXPORT not to use in Pakistan,Pakistan will be partner exporting the stuff,it's a win-win situation

CPEC is an excellent project. Long awaited, it should be a free enterprise open to all capable Pakistanis and Chinese for mutual benefit. When there are thousands of miles of railroad in USA, why not in Pakistan & China. Wish all the best for the success of CPEC.

A Train is going from Kunming to Guangzhou, near Hong kong. Then it will go to Karachi by ships via Mallaca Bay of Bengal and Indian ocean. India is shocked, Modi is sleepless.

@GUPTA Don't worry about the domestic manufacturing, we are already trading in Yuan and the Chinese companies are already taking over local companies paying their net worth in billions of dollars. The useless Skepticism won't change our optimistic outlook.

Pakistan must go for a defense pact with China and offer them bases here just to allay the concerns and worries of Indian government. Hopefully then Modi will be able to sleep well at night

@Ishtiaq A cargo train loaded with 500 tonnes of commodities left Kunming, capital of Yunnan, for port city of Guangzhou from where the cargo will be loaded on ships and transported to Karachi. Read it again it will go thru SCS and then thru Indian ocean.

@GUPTA you are right dear friend. China will capture all the Pak markets with their cheap goods. Only logistic is not enough for boosting economic.

@Rohail : We don't have any complaints on Pakistan flooded with Chinese goods. Pakistan will take some time to understand how China is benefitting more from this project.

@Dr. The rail roads in USA are being used to import and export products to every corner of the country at a cheaper rate than the road. I only see Chinese products using our roads and rail roads fro export to Pakistan and other countries. Just think How many containers of Pakistani products are going to China? There is no news because our exports to China using this route is Zero. According to one Chinese source they are saving 50% on transportation costs but do we get any part of 50% savings?Just think of Suez canal or Panama canal but those countries are collecting billions of dollars annually from Ships passing through these canals. How we are going to pay this 46B dollar loan with interest? Just mark my word, we will find out the truth in a few years but NS Government will be long gone and we will be holding the the baggage. Most of our industries will be ruined because of Chinese dumping and millions of people will be out of jobs and lined up in front of embassies to get out

The route chosen is at safest location with minimum security deployment. The rail route must be regularly inspected by both Chinese and Pakistani engineers as heavy goods trains will cause wear and tear on these routes.

@Altaf ahmad mirajkar , yes it is a step towards stability; and China after this big investment will sure like a stable and strong Pakistan.

@lafanga.If you think China will protect you against India with whom it has over 100B trade annually and Chinese companies have set up many factories in India? You must be dreaming. When it comes to defense of our country, we have to defend ourselves and no foreign power will come to our aid. Just look at the history of 3-4 wars with India. China may use its influence and ask both countries to use restraint rather than force to solve issues but the final decision rests on our shoulders.

China- Pakistan trade initative and economic progress is the success story of the century. It is the formula to replicate for other countries to uplift themselves and their poor. It's the real world not the make belief one.

India is already developed. Its time for Pakistan to be established and for that... Best of luck to all we Pakistanis.

@Amar It is not the business of hindus.

@GUPTA whether it's now or it's ancient Times where there is trade route you have industry and market. It's tax free but not service free so charges still apply. Plus other countries joining in will b paying service fee. Because of infrastructure the huge market of Pakistan can't be ignored

I unable to understand this 500 tons of coal to transport to Karachi for what purposes

Well, this is entirely a new rail and sea trade route between Pakistan and China which has nothing to do with any land route. Cargo will be transported by railways from inland China to the seaport of Guangzhou (previously known as Canton), just very close to Hongkong and then will be carried by ships via South China Sea, Gulf of Thailand and the Arabian Sea to Gwader or Karachi. As anticipated, this short route will cut the shipment costs. Hopefully, it will open new economic opportunities not only for both the countries but the the whole region.