According to newspaper reports, the Asian Development Bank has approved $800 million multi-tranche financing facility to enhance regional connectivity and boost trade in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation corridors in Pakistan. Under the programme, the National Highway Authority will rehabilitate and upgrade 747 kilometer roads across the country, including Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The programme will expand the country’s links with central Asian states and will improve efficiency of the road traffic. The plan was envisaged in 2013 to link Pakistan with Afghanistan, Central Asia and China and the total cost of the project could be nearly $5.6 billion.The international donor agencies will be involved in the development of infrastructure and the programme will not burden any particular country. The corridor will offer the shortest route to landlocked countries to transport their goods to Karachi and Gwadar. Pakistan is situated at the crossroads of Central Asia, China and South Asia and has the potential to become a regional transport and trade hub. The ADB programme will help the government realise potentials of trade and connectivity in the region.The connectivity programme will virtually integrate and connect South Asia, Central Asia and Europe. After the development of the connectivity, Pakistan will have tremendous opportunities to trade with central Asian countries and beyond.
So far, Pakistan’s trade is centered on sea traffic while trade with central Asian states remained limited because of high freight cost and poor infrastructure. Upgrading the country’s roads will push overall economic growth. Pakistan has cultural and historical relations with Afghanistan and ensuring peace in that country would connect all the countries in the region. The open-border trade will be in the benefit of each and every nation and it will be a win-win scenario for all the partner countries. Unfortunately, India is hitting its own foot by refusing to become partner in the regional connectivity programme. By taking part in the CPEC and CAREC corridors, it can have access to the central Asian markets. India could not rid itself of the burden of history as it remained under Muslim rule for centuries. The time has come the nations should look into the future instead of the past and resolve all the thorny issues by negotiations and peaceful means. The development of regional infrastructure is in the benefit of all countries and it is good omen Pakistan has the standing offer to all the regional countries, including India to become part of the programme.
