CHINA–PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR'S IMPACT ON EXTREMIST SAFE HAVENS IN BALOCHISTAN: BOOM OR BUST?

Abstract

The China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), launched in 2015 as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, was envisioned as a $62 billion program with the potential to reshape Pakistan’s economy, expand human development opportunities, and strengthen political stability through large scale infrastructure and energy projects. At the center of this vision is Balochistan, a resource rich but historically marginalized province, where CPEC’s plans aim to modernize the region and eliminate safe havens for extremism. This thesis explores CPEC’s implementation over the past 10 years, its impact on safe havens for insurgency in the province and resulting U.S. homeland security concerns. The research examines Balochistan’s historical grievances as well as the promises of CPEC’s economic development, human development, and political stability vis-à-vis implications for U.S. homeland security. Findings show that CPEC’s poor implementation has intensified nationalist unrest and enabled extremist groups, including Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan and Islamic State–Khorasan Province, to exploit safe haven conditions. This study concludes that the U.S. homeland security strategy must address the destabilizing consequences of CPEC in Balochistan while balancing broader strategic competition with China in South Asia.