Big Win for Baloch Protesters : Pakistan's Gwadar Airport is a nightmare for China | World Affairs

Summary

The video script discusses the challenges faced by China's CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) project in Pakistan, including security issues for Chinese nationals, political instability, and protests in Balochistan. It highlights the delays in the Gwadar International Airport project, which is part of the CPEC, due to these issues. The script also touches on the Baloch people's grievances and their protests against the government, which are affecting the progress of the CPEC. Additionally, it mentions two courses being launched by the Unacademy team, focusing on Geopolitics and significant judgments that shaped India's financial landscape.

Takeaways

• 😀 The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project has faced significant setbacks, with issues in Pakistan causing it to start and stop repeatedly.
• 🇨🇳 The 'Safe City' project for Chinese nationals in Pakistan is a major challenge due to constant tax issues and political instability.
• 💼 Since 2023, over 700 military tax incidents have occurred, reflecting the ongoing security concerns for Chinese investments in Pakistan.
• 🗼 The Gwadar International Airport, a significant part of the CPEC, is ready for integration but has faced delays in its inauguration, initially planned for Pakistan's Independence Day on August 14th.
• 🛫 The Gwadar International Airport project, costing around 250 million dollars, is designed to accommodate large aircraft like the A380 and has been delayed due to protests and political issues in Balochistan.
• 🚨 Protests in Balochistan, which are ongoing for several months, are a significant hindrance to the CPEC project and the integration of the Gwadar Airport.
• 🏭 The Baloch people, who contribute significantly to Pakistan's natural resources, feel neglected and lack basic amenities, leading to the rise of the Baloch Liberation Organization (BLO) and protests.
• 📉 The economic impact of the protests and instability is causing a halt in the CPEC project and affecting the overall economy of Balochistan.
• 🏛 The fear of attacks during the inauguration of the Gwadar International Airport has led to its repeated delays, with no new date set for the event.
• 🌐 The potential of the Gwadar International Airport to become a major hub is overshadowed by the fear that it might become a 'white elephant' project like Sri Lanka's Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport.
• 📚 The script also announces two new courses by the Unacademy team, focusing on Geopolitics and significant judgments that have shaped India's financial landscape.

Q & A

What is the primary challenge for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project within Pakistan?

The primary challenge for the CPEC project within Pakistan is the security of Chinese nationals working in Pakistan, who often face taxation issues and the project's intermittent start and stop due to various internal problems in Pakistan.

How has the political instability in Pakistan affected the CPEC project?

Political instability in Pakistan, including frequent changes in government and issues at the Prime Minister level, has led to delays and disruptions in the CPEC project, causing uncertainty and additional challenges for its implementation.

What is the issue with the payment of Chinese officials' money that has been invested in Pakistan since 2015?

The issue is that the money invested by Chinese officials in Pakistan since 2015 has not been returned, causing financial strain and adding to the problems faced by China in relation to the CPEC project.

What was the intended purpose of the Gwadar International Airport project within the CPEC framework?

The Gwadar International Airport project was intended to reduce the travel time for Chinese nationals who are important officials and to accommodate large aircraft like the Airbus A380, thereby enhancing connectivity and trade within the CPEC framework.

Why has the inauguration of the Gwadar International Airport been delayed multiple times?

The inauguration of the Gwadar International Airport has been delayed multiple times due to ongoing protests in Balochistan and concerns over security and potential attacks during the inauguration.

What is the significance of the Balochistan region for the CPEC project?

Balochistan is significant for the CPEC project because it is home to Gwadar Port, a key point in the corridor, and is rich in natural resources that contribute to Pakistan's economy.

What are the main grievances of the Baloch people regarding their involvement in the CPEC project?

The main grievances of the Baloch people are that they do not receive adequate benefits or returns from the natural resources they contribute to the country, and they face issues such as lack of electricity and proper infrastructure in their region.

What triggered the recent large-scale protests in Balochistan that have impacted the CPEC project?

The recent large-scale protests in Balochistan were triggered by an incident in Turbat where armed men attempted to rob a family, leading to the death of a girl named Malik Naj and her 4-year-old sister, which sparked outrage and protests among the Baloch people.

What is the Baloch Raaj Dhara movement, and how is it related to the CPEC project?

The Baloch Raaj Dhara movement is a separatist movement against the CPEC project.