Baloch Nationalism and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

Abstract

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a part of China‟s One Belt One Road Initiative (OBOR) that China has designed as a tool to become a regional and then a global power. CPEC, which connects Kashgar in China with Gwadar in Pakistan, was met with enthusiasm in Pakistan as it is seen as a solution to Pakistan‟s current economic problems and an opportunity that will make Pakistan one of the most strategically important countries in the region. But this enthusiasm is not shared by Baloch nationalists in Pakistan. Baloch nationalists fear that they will completely lose control of their own resources and become the minority in the Balochistan due to CPEC and oppose it. In their opposition to CPEC, they have protested and also taken to violence. Therefore Baloch nationalism is seen as one of the challenges faced by CPEC. The aim of the article is twofold. Firstly the article discusses why Baloch nationalists oppose to CPEC, secondly argues the reasons for Baloch nationalism cannot be a serious roadblock to CPEC.