Rome, February 2: Political and security instability in Pakistan is raising serious concerns about the future of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). According to a report, if Chinese officials cannot travel safely to Islamabad, China may need to reassess its engagement with Pakistan. Each new challenge facing Islamabad poses a threat to the progress of CPEC and undermines Beijing’s billions of dollars in investments in the region.
The report from the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) indicates that China’s ambitions to strengthen its grip on Afghanistan and Pakistan, while creating a prosperous and stable region along its western and southwestern borders, are becoming increasingly difficult due to recent developments.
The report recalls that tensions between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban peaked in October 2025, following deadly missile strikes along their shared border. Since the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul in September 2021, relations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have steadily deteriorated.
According to the report, “After betting $62 billion on Islamabad nearly a decade ago, Beijing is now extremely concerned about stability in the region. Domestic insurgency and hostile neighbors are exacerbating Pakistan’s troubles, which is a cause for concern for China.”
Under CPEC, China has significantly increased its economic investments in Pakistan. The primary goal of CPEC for Beijing is to ensure direct access to the Arabian Sea through a network of infrastructure, centered around the Gwadar port in Balochistan province.
However, the report clarifies that ongoing internal unrest in Pakistan is preventing China from reaping the expected benefits from its investments. This has affected several CPEC projects, causing progress to stall on multiple fronts.
Continuous attacks by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) in Balochistan have created serious obstacles for key CPEC projects, particularly the development of Gwadar port. The security situation has deteriorated to the extent that the inauguration of the Gwadar airport, funded by CPEC, had to be conducted online in late 2024 due to safety concerns for senior officials.
Additionally, Pakistan faces a significant security challenge from Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The report states that the TTP has consistently targeted Pakistani security forces and Chinese infrastructure projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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