Abstract

This research intends to study geostrategic and eco-political threats attached to China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) concerning Pakistani media coverage of Dasu attack in 2021. While 13 workers, including Chinese engineers were killed which resultantly resurfaced the security threat attached to this project. To analyze the media’s apprehension about the incident and framing trends, editorials of four leading newspapers, two English; Dawn and The Nation, two Urdu: Daily Jang and Daily Express, were selected with a duration from July 1, 2021 to November 30, 2022. Previous studies helped in determining to incorporate ‘threat frame’ to be analyzed in editorials which further lead to quantify its coverage frequency. The findings revealed that newspapers indicated towards threats of security, insurgencies, internal and external terrorism attacks with serious apprehension to be resolved. The findings also concluded that editorial manuscripts help in steering and determining geopolitical issues in constructive ways.

Key Words

CPEC, Dasu, Editorials, Threat, Framing

Introduction

The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is not a new project. As indicated by a First post report, this is China’s largest overseas venture announced at this point and it is expected that the corridor will start its function within three years and will be a significant distinct advantage in the locale. The current type of task “China Pakistan Economic Corridor” was first presented by Li Keqiang, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on May 22, 2013, founded the China Pakistan Economic Corridor Secretariat on August 27, 2013 in Islamabad. The manufacturing “China Pakistan Community of Shared Destiny” was presented by the President of China, Xi Jinping, during his gathering with Pakistani President in 2014, by former President Mamnoon Hussain on February 19, as per experts of China, the CPEC plugs in as a foundation of President Xi’s propositions. Two months after the visit of former President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain and Nawaz Sharif, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan came across to Premier Li Keqiang. China ponders advanced policies resulting the venture would be detailed below the Nawaz Sharif’s contract (Hassan, 2020).

CPEC

CPEC is a huge project and of OBOR activity by China. The enormous framework venture is expected to get the Gwadar port together with the Western China through a street and railing arrange, involving westerns, eastern and focal courses. It is intended to be finished within fifteen years containing four stages, including fifty-one activities in segments of vitality, street and rail foundation, uncommon financial zones, correspondences and advancement of Gwadar port (Khetran & Saeed, 2017). The aims of the project are to provide connectivity throughout Pakistan by roads and railroad joined by other progressive projects in port, industrial area, energy, pipelines and the economic zones. The undertaking combined through Pakistan and China is expected to upgrade speculation, exchange or financial participation. The venture would be done more than fifteen years in three stages. As the OBOR’s flagship project. CPEC plays an immense role for China and Pakistan and for the OBOR initiative pace will be set. China and Pakistan consider as useful for themselves, yet in addition for whole area and trans locale; it is in this manner to guarantee the basic for Pakistan its effective execution. This monitory coordination was the main solid proof of another period. In a similar setting we had a thump at entryway in north by China who needed to expand her silk course were southern quarters through our property to guarantee economic integration in the region (Anam, 2020).

China is the region of stabilizing factor. Its maritime Silk Route and land silk route activities are the means of reinforce the immature economies. CPEC is the most recent mega project between these two nations which is result of China’s yearning vision for an advanced remaking of the Silk Road. The 3000 KM economic corridor visualized the association between Kashgar and Gwadar port in Pakistan’s southern part, northwestern city of China, railways, the development of parks, and gas and oil pipelines. When the corridor emerges, it will emerge as an essential doorway for interchange between the China and the Middle East and Africa. It is accepted that Gwadar Ocean port and vehicle interface amount Kashgar and Gwadar is completely essential for CPEC, in any case no other movement of economic can be conceivable. In specific, oil since Middle East could be transported to China and discharged at Gwadar through the region of Balochistan in Pakistan. CPEC would end up being an achievement for the two nation’s development (Bangali, 2015).




CPEC and Media

In this research effort is to throw the light on the importance of real scenario of CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor) through the editorials of Dawn, The Nations, The Daily Jang and Daily Express from 1st of May 2021 to 30th of April 2022. Nowadays, media has become the tool which shows the reflection of a particular society; thus, the operators of media need to highlight the side of the society cooperation. Around the region media is making its impact on their audience by making the new stories regarding CPEC as the center of attention which indicates that they are playing an active role. In this research the new aspects of CPEC and also the role of media representing CPEC as a game changer for Pakistan are explored. The news stories square measure terribly informative and an awfully effective role on voters of Islamic Republic of Pakistan so as to share a concrete and prompt info concerning CPEC. These magazines have a significant role in dynamic mind frame of public and even policy manufacturers. They don’t have the authority to create policy however it sets the base on which these policies or measures are created. The media is taking part in its role effectively in eliminating info gap through spreading the positive image within the minds of the stakeholders (Mengal et al, 2018). 

This research also about that how much the China Pakistan Economic Corridor is beneficial and unbeneficial for the economy of Pakistan as like the Master Tiles in Pakistan and the Textile industry which used to shift in Bangladesh and it also belongings the economy of neighboring countries of Pakistan like Central Asia, India, Iran and Afghanistan. The study is also about the impacting on culture and society of Pakistan through CPEC like the educational system, sign board languages in northern areas, restaurants, remove the barriers between Chinese and Pakistanis so they know everything about Pakistan and wedding scams too. The media show CPEC as a Golden Sparrow for Pakistan in Pakistani media while also some regional and international media show it as the New East India Company in Pakistan as was in sub-continent (Ahmed, 2017). 

At this moment, the CPEC project is within the public eye. Pakistan and China, due to their methodological compatibility and cultural openness, have a very special bond. Many researchers are currently working on One Belt, One Road (OBOR) project and its impact on growing countries. Though very few studies have targeted to analyze the outcome of CPEC by means of two English newspapers and two Urdu newspapers which are The Nation, Dawn, The Daily Jang and Daily Express and how issues have been given treatment by the selected newspapers from the timeline of May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022 by accessing the editorial pages through content analysis.

Considering the existing literature, it is necessary to improve expertise concerning the CPEC. This research is consequently proposed to be a comprehensive review based on experience based on detailed analysis of the selected Pakistani newspapers on CPEC. The other significance of this study to analyze the opportunities and challenges which are expected from China Pakistan Economic Corridor for Pakistan. The major Information is obtained from in depth examination of key sources for instance, The Nation, Dawn, The Daily Jang and Daily Express newspapers.

This Study has Objectives

? To analyze the threat portrayal of China Pakistan Economic Corridor in newspaper editorials.

? To study the threat framing frequency of CPEC in Urdu and English newspaper editorials.




Thus Originates Following Questions That

? How the English and Urdu newspapers of Pakistan are representing the CPEC? 

? How press is discussing China Pakistan Economic Corridor in Editorial?

Literature Review

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did the pioneering ritual for constructing the first section of this highway, 110km, on 29th Nov, 2014. The project was set to finalize by the end of 2017. The Raikot-Thaikot Section is additionally booked to be completed by the same time. Since the segments from Raikot to Sost and Mansehra to Thakot have been restored and an autobahn from Burhan to Islamabad is open, the consummation of the other two ventures, that is the Raikot-Thaikot Section of the Karakoram Highway just as the Burhan-Mansehra Motorway, would complete the recovery of the Karakoram Highway up to Islamabad by 2017 (Rauf, 2022). 

China being connected by Pakistan to connect itself with the world by occupying the primary worldwide excursion to Beijing. US head Nixon’s Chinese visit was to normalize China-U.S. relations and upheld power guarantee of China over Tibet and Taiwan. So also, Pakistan helped by China in structuring up its substantial and military modern limit and just as its communication framework. A portion of the significant occasions in the Sino-Pakistan relationship are talked about in the

resulting section (Markey, 2022).

As per the terms of the CPEC, China will construct railway network stretching over 4000km from Gwadar to Kashgar. With the construction of corridor, CPEC will also undertake construction over twelve special economic zones. The project of CPEC will also entail sectoral development in the transportation, sector of communication and infrastructure along with the power projects and in the industry. China took initiative to develop the whole Gwadar region making it more hospitable for the settlement of the people and different business enterprises. Pakistan will be a ten percent contributor in such infrastructure projects (Faisal & Iqbal, 2022).

China is emerging as a big influencer in the sphere of social media in Pakistan. China is doing this in three steps, by manufacturing cheap mobile phones, China bought Zong in Pakistan which is the biggest mobile service provider in Pakistan and Chinese apps like TikTok and WeChat are very popular among Pakistani people. The Chinese have started investing in Pakistan since 2007 as they have seen the potential in the market of Pakistan and this results in boosting the development of Pakistan. Pakistan with the help of China and CPEC, will soon be out of the league of under-developed countries (Hassan, 2022).

Since the announcement of CPEC, the people of Gwadar were anxious to know about the future of the city. They wanted their city to be the next Singapore, fully developed and better than any other city in Pakistan. But the plan of CPEC didn’t help their cause yet, since it is not completed, the clear picture about it cannot be presented to the people in the city. Gwadar is the main city in Balochistan along with the Arabian Sea-outside the Strait of Hormuz and a few dozen miles from Iran. It has great significance for the people of Balochistan as many containers land in Pakistan at Gwadar and result in creating employment for its people (Rafiq, 2022).

Framing theory is applied to study the position of newspaper on the CPEC by looking at how they represent it in their editorials.

Methodology

Both research methods qualitative and quantitative approach was used for research purpose. The primary aim is using qualitative approach in this research study to check coverage of CPEC in selective sample newspapers and conduct content analysis for the editorials and quantitative approach to check that how much these selective sample newspapers discussed the CPEC. Also, to find the way issue is framed in the media and also to evaluate the percentage of the variables along with their frequencies.

In total of four newspapers known by the name of The Nation, Dawn, The Daily Jang and Daily Express are selected as sample from May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022. Editorials published in selected samples during the time period mentioned above will be considered aggregates. Purposive sampling was used to collect the data. The main reason behind choosing this sampling technique is that each newspaper mentioned previously has its own ideology. They have distinctive audience and audience. Taking the example of Dawn, it is very popular in the NGOs and private sector. While the Nation and Jang are popular among government institutes and the general public. Therefore, the above sampling techniques are suitable for this study. Selected newspapers are considered to be the popular in the media, which have significantly more readers than other newspaper. Second, every selected sample has a different audience and each one of them target different readers and distinctive age-groups. Four samples are sufficient for performing discourse analysis.




Selected Sample

Dawn

1. Our foreign ties.                                                          1 July 2021.

2. CCP centenary.                                                           3 July 2021.

3. Talking to insurgents.                                                 7 July 2021.

4. Chinese targeted.                                                        17 July 2021.

5. FDI Decline.                                                               20 July 2021.

6. Attack on Chinese.                                                     30 July 2021.

7. Anti-China attacks.                                                24 August 2021.

8. Transparency needed.                                                 1 October 2021.

9. Decreasing emissions.                                                16 October 2021.

10. Affordable power.                                                  14September 2021.

11. Phasing out Coal.                                                        27 September 2021.




The Nation

1. Through Investigation.                                                17 July 2021.

2. Stronger Friendship.                                                    24 July 2021.

3. CPEC Phase II.                                                            15 September 2021.

4. Return on Investment.                                                  21 September 2021.

5. CPEC & Afghanistan.                                                  29 September 2021.

6. A Slow Pace.                                                                15 November 2021.

7. CPEC Phase II.                                                             17 November 2021.




The Daily Jang

1. Dasu bus tragedy.                                                         16 July 2021.

2. San E Ha Dasu.                                                             19 July 2021.

3. CPEC ki nayi qiyadat.                                                   05 August 2021.

4. CPEC: cheeni safeer aur Army Chief ki mulaqaat.       02 September 2021.

5. CPEC aur Pakistani Azam.                                            25 September 2021.

6. CPEC: sab ky liye.                                                         05 November 2021.




Daily Express

1. CPEC ki takmeel ka azam.                                    25 September 2021.




Data Presentation

For the content analysis of acquired data, categories were extracted as words, context, sentences, themes and phrases. A thematic analysis was conducted using six categories, threat, security, diplomacy, development, economic and slow pace. These themes were set accordingly upon reading the editorials published thoroughly that have reported CPEC. The frequency (times a thing is repeated in the editorial) was checked and then by using the statistical tools graph for the frequencies were developed for each paper respectively. 

Results

Dawn Table 1

Frequencies and Percentage of Variables in Dawn (May 01, 2021 to April 30, 2022).

Variables	Frequency	Percentage	Cumulative Frequency
Development	3	9.67	3
Security	1	3.22	4
Diplomacy	7	22.58	11
Threat	8	25.80	19
Economy	6	19.35	25
Covid-19	6	19.35	31
Total	31	100

Interpretation

Table 1 shows the findings of the Dawn editorials, which have talked about the Development on CPEC (9.67%) in Pakistan. The Security of the flagship project is discussed (3.22%) of the time. The diplomacy related to the US and India mainly on this project is discussed (22.58%). Threat of Dasu Hydropower Project is discussed (25.80%) and the economic affairs of Pakistan related to CPEC is (19.35%). At last projects of CPEC during the covid-19 is discussed (19.35%). The research concludes that the Chinese nationals want more security in Pakistan to save their lives from any kind of harm and also to complete all phases of the CPEC project. International bodies or the regional countries of Asia do not want to complete this project because when it is completed, it will become a game changer for the region. The investment in Pakistan from Chinese companies will be high in rated as comparable to before CPEC. The textile industry, marble companies and Information Technology (IT) will also be updated. According to the chart, Dawn discussed a lot about the security related to the Chinese in Pakistan because it is not only presented to the Pakistan or China but to the whole world.




Analysis

Dawn has published 14 editorials from May 2021 to April 2022. Upon analyzing the content of editorials, it is seen that Dawn presented the CPEC in the pessimistic way due to security issues of Chinese national, incomplete projects and slow pace progress. Dawn discoursed mainly about the International Relation along US, Russia and Afghanistan, the investments, loans and the energy projects from phase I, both complete and incomplete. The Dasu hydropower attack also insisted about how much the security of Chinese workers is important to Pakistan and the progress 

of this flagship project.

During May, the call for Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mehmood Qureshi to the US secretary Antony Blinken turned out to be an important time in Pakistan-US relations. The administration of US was in process of dipping its footprint in the region with the withdrawal from Afghanistan. This led to deeper engagement between Islamabad and Moscow that is evident by the recent visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to Pakistan (Hard balancing act, 18 May 2021). The balancing act between US and China may not be easy but if Pakistan wants to maintain a strong and healthy relationship with these two major powers then it is essential.

Mr. Khan, the Former Prime Minister of Pakistan referred to CPEC as the “biggest thing happening in Pakistan”. CPEC vows to bring enormous financial and geo-key turn offers for Pakistan. On July 17, there were terror attacks done on Chinese nationals and Dasu locals that directed them to death. When the incident happened, the first statement was that a bus plunged into a ravine due to a mechanical fault. Later, Chinese embassy shared some more details that it was not a mechanical fault it was a blast. This was not the first attack on Chinese in Pakistan. Baloch militants and Pakistan Taliban had targeted both Chinese projects and workers for many times in the past. The return of the threat could take this country back to the era of discord and uncertainty.

According to the data of State Bank, China is the prime investor in Pakistan even after decrease in inflows from its banks and companies. Chinese investment under the multibillion Dollar CPEC initiative began to dry up the achievement of large power and transport infrastructure projects. However, the main factor for keeping away foreign investment is inconsistent economic policies as well as lack of integration with the regional and global economy (FDI decline, 20 July 2021). From Pakistan’s traditional trade and economic allies, the reducing dimensions of FDI is also reflective of a decline in political ties with the West bodies.

In February, Former Premier Imran Khan had concluded the visit to China for four days. He had important meeting along the Chinese leadership including President Xi Jinping. The main purpose of visit was to attend the opening ceremony of Winter Olympics and to discuss about the Islamabad-Beijing relationship. CPEC is the one key section of bilateral ties (CPEC concerns, 08 February 2022).

The Nation Table 2

Frequencies and Percentage of Variables in the Nation (May 01, 2021 to April 30, 2022).

Variables	Frequency	Percentage	Cumulative Frequency
Threat	8	27.58	8
Development	2	6.89	10
Diplomacy	2	6.89	12
Security	5	17.24	17
Economy	6	20.68	23
Covid-19	6	20.68	29
Total	29	100



InterpretationTable 2 and shows the findings The Nation editorials have talked (27.58%) about the Threat in Pakistan regarding the CPEC. Development is discussed (6.89%) in the editorials. Diplomacy is discussed (6.89%), Security (17.24%), Economy (20.68%) and Covid-19 as (20.68%) in the newspaper editorials. 
AnalysisThe Nation has published 09 editorials in the selected time period. During the analysis of editorials content, it can be seen that The Nation presented the CPEC in optimistic way. The Nation is much liberal in its policy than Nawa-i-Waqt, The Nation has the most conservation among the other English newspapers. It discussed about the trading route, projects, threats, security and the future investment opportunities for Pakistan’s economy. The nineteen projects of this flagship project, CPEC have been completed, which was a major achievement for Pakistan. Even in the days of pandemic, we managed to continue work on these large projects. Only 22 percent of the work was completed by June 2021, 28 projects partially completed and 41 still in the pipeline. There is still quite a distance to cover before CPEC can be declared complete (CPEC Progress, 05 June 2021). Due to CPEC being slow, some Chinese companies have complained about slow work and slowing down their business in Pakistan (A Slow Pace, 15 November 2021).The benefits of CPEC were not only limited to the completion of infrastructure and energy projects, but also creates a room for further future investment opportunities for Pakistan’s economy. Our local market will be considered productive, less uncertain and profitable which, in turn, will attract further interest (Return on Investment, 21 September 2021).In June, the purposeful attack on the workers of the Dasu Hydropower Project killed nine Chinese nationals, two locals and two members of the Frontier Constabulary. The Nation described this incident as it would not be illogical to conclude that certain treacherous foreign powers, like India, might be behind the attack (Through Investigation, 17 July 2021). Because of this incident, CPEC and Chinese-led economic development considered the opposition in the region. It was the responsibility of Pakistan after the incident to protect them and give them security, as well as CPEC’s to regain the trust of Chinese government.The second phase of CPEC will mainly focus on the industrial development. During the meeting in November, during which CPECA Chairman ‘Khalid Mansoor’ briefed the attendees on the latest developments on the CPEC horizon, various business opportunities and incentives for investment (CPEC Phase II, 17 November 2021). During this meeting, he briefed that this phase of CPEC powerup socio-economic development in Pakistan with the help of investment of Chinese and technology transfer. The industrial, technological and agricultural sectors are the main focus of Phase II to improve bilateral cooperation for which business-to-business association will present many opportunities for success. Pakistan lends support to China, its long-lasting friend (Visit to China, 30 January 2022). 




The Daily Jung Table 3

Frequencies and Percentage of Variables in the Daily Jung (May 01, 2021 to April 30, 2022).

Variables	Frequency	Percentage	Cumulative Frequency
Development	3	27.27	3
Diplomacy	1	9.09	4
Threat	3	27.27	7
Security	2	18.18	9
Economy	0	00	9
Covid-19	2	18.18	11
Total	11	100



InterpretationThe Daily Jung editorials have talked about the Development on CPEC (27.27%). Diplomacy is discussed (9.09%) in the editorials. Then the Threat is discussed (27.27%), Security (18.18%), Economy (0%) and the Covid-19 (18.18%) was discussed in this newspaper editorials during the selected period. Jung has not discussed about the economy effects of CPEC on Pakistan. It discussed more about the developing projects of CPEC and the reactions of the international bodies such as relation with them. 

AnalysisThe Daily Jung has published only 6 editorials from the selected time period from May 2021 to April 2022. During the analysis of editorials content, it can be seen that The Daily Jung presented the CPEC in a pessimistic way. It discussed about the Dasu Attack, Diplomacy and Development. Jung editorials explained each incident related to CPEC in deep depth and related the incident with their historical perspective.Jung described the Dasu Hydropower Plant in depth that how many incidents happened in past with the foreigners in Pakistan. As in 03 May 2004, the remote-control blast happened in Gwadar where three Chinese engineers were killed. Before this incident in 2002, eleven engineers of France were target killed in Karachi. All of these happened after the 9/11 incident and then Pakistan faced the terrorism era and in return, to counter these attacks and terrorists, several operations like Zarb-E-Azab and Rad-UL-Fasad were in action and took over all of these (Dasu bus Tragedy, 16 July 2021). It also described Lahore bombing, kidnapping of Matin Afghan Ambassador’s daughter in Islamabad and violence on Afghan border (San E Ha Dasu, 19 July 2021).Jung called the CPEC as Golden Sparrow for the future of Pakistan. In August, Lieutenant General (R) Asim Saleem Bajwa resigned from China Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority (CPECA) and did his best to this flagship project. (CPEC ki nayi qiyadat, 05 August 2021). There is no doubt about this project that it will be a mega project for this region but the regional countries of Pakistan were not happy because once it will be completed, the economic power and geographical power of Pakistan will totally change for all the World especially US and India (CPEC aur Pakistani azam, 25 September 2021).  




Daily Express Table 4

Frequencies and Percentage of Variables in Daily Express (May 01, 2021 to April 30, 2022)

Variables	Frequency	Percentage	Cumulative Frequency
Threat	4	44.44	4
Development	1	11.11	5
Diplomacy	0	00	5
Security	2	22.22	7
Economy	2	22.22	9
Covid-19	0	00	9
Total	9	100



InterpretationDaily Express editorials have talked about the Threat on China Pakistan Economic Corridor is (44.4%), Development (11.1%), Diplomacy (0%), Security (22.2%), Economic (22.2%) and Covid-19 (0%) was discussed. Express published only one editorial regarding to the flagship project CPEC and explained briefly about the Dasu attack, progress in phase one of CPEC and also the Chinese investors in Pakistan. Except these points, no other theme has been discussed in this newspaper editorial.
AnalysisDaily Express has printed only one editorial in the whole year from May 2021 to April 2022. During the analysis of this one editorial content, it can be seen that Daily Express presented the CPEC in impartial way. It discussed the matters of project in short in one editorial, like Infrastructure in Balochistan, Development of IT, Investments, Dasu Hydropower Project Attack, Rumors in international media and industrial projects (CPEC ki takmeel ka azam, 25 September 2021).
DiscussionThe comparative analysis of selected dailies, previous literature and findings of the data denoted that print media has an significant role in framing and portraying the image of a happening or a moment. Media frames things in a manner that its viewers believe whatever it shows. It has the power of making the event successful or flop. The comparative analysis was done to find out the views and the perception of these different newspapers regarding the CPEC. The selected population of the newspaper has a huge readership in Pakistan.The findings that remained same among all the newspapers was the development of the projects and security of the Chinese nationals due to which the CPEC came to the mainstream. However, in the findings, two of the newspapers, Dawn and The Daily Jung believed that Chinese nationals security is not important for Pakistan because it shows negative impact on Pakistan in International media. The government needs to find out the elements from the incidents happening in Pakistan to Chinese and set an example by punishing them. Whereas on another hand, rest of the two did not mentioned about the international media. They discussed about the internal security that effects the flagship project between China and Pakistan. It will be a game changer for Pakistan in the upcoming days. The Nation also discoursed about the involvement by TTP, and it would not be illogical to conclude that many deceitful powers like India might be behind this attack (Through Investigation, 17 July 2021).It was also found that the economy of Pakistan depends on the CPEC in future. Millions of dollars were invested in Pakistan but showing that it was not all in vain is imperative (Return on Investigation, 21 September 2021). Otherwise, we will have to deal with the inevitability of work stoppages and contract payment delays enough to change the fate of the project. As The Nation mentioned that Pakistani local markets will be productive, less undetermined and more profitable, that will attract more investors. From past few years, the trading chart of Pakistan was not so good. From the arrival of CPEC, the investors came to Pakistan from different countries to invest the dollars, which is useful for us in future. Energy safety is a key worry for China, it is the globe’s greatest pol shipper, and pipelines through Pakistan would remove sea tourism over South East Asia. Pakistan has traditionally enjoyed very strong bond with both Beijing and Washington and now it is a wrong time to begin prioritizing one over the other one. CPEC is a major project for the Pakistan contempt the opposition from the US. The challenge that faced the PTI government was to facilitate the successful withdrawal of US from Afghanistan. The Balancing Act may not be easy, but it is essential for Pakistan if Pakistan wants to continue a strong and healthy relation with the two major powers (Hard balancing act, 18 May 2021). Jung discussed about the diplomacy that India and US both are not happy from this flagship project because if it will be completed with all of its phases, then Pakistan’s economy will get stronger than it is now, and will increase its regional power as compared to others like Afghanistan, India, Central Asia and Iran. During the PTI government, all of the projects of phase I were not completed as targeted, according to the schedule because of covid-19 and Dasu attack tragedy. The pandemic created mess all over the World and paused almost all the projects that were running around the World. In Pakistan, only 22 percent of the work was completed by June 2021, 28 projects partially completed and 41 were still in the pipeline. During COVID-19, CPEC being slow, some Chinese companies have complained about slow work and slowing down their business in Pakistan (CPEC Phase II, 15 September 2021). In this study, most of the editorials have urged that the Government needs to focus on the security threat of Chinese Nationals and on the infrastructure, which is also a part of CPEC Phase II.  CPEC is a huge provincial project and of OBOR activity by China (CPEC Phase II, 17 November 2021). If any other mishap occurred to the Chinese in Pakistan in the future, then it would directly affect the China and Pakistan bond. CPEC is the most recent mega project between these two nations, which is result of China’s yearning vision for an advanced remarking of the Silk Road.This project would end up being an achievement for the two nation’s development. 


Conclusion

The research concluded that according to the editorials published in selected dailies, the CPEC will be a Golden Sparrow for the Pakistan economy. The trade routes play a vital role in almost all editorials. Media covered the Dasu Hydropower Project incident in depth in all selected samples. The government should speed up the infrastructure of projects like Technology and IT. In late 2021, the Phase II had started but from the Phase I, many projects were still incomplete because of attacks and covid-19.

The Dawn and The Nation discussed about every point related to the CPEC such as development of various projects like technology and IT, economy, diplomacy and also discussed that how it should be better in future for Pakistan. While on another hand, The Daily Jung has talked about development, diplomacy, security and slow pace while economy was missing in their editorials. Daily Express has not discussed about slow pace and diplomacy. These aspects play an important role in the flagship project between China Pakistan; they should be discussed about these points so the readership of these newspapers know about the real value of CPEC. Dawn has talked about the security issues more than others as after the Dasu incident that government needs to improve the internal security system for foreigners and locals too. The Nation has talked about on the development of projects running in Pakistan which effects on the economy of the country too. 

Within the long history between the two countries, Sino-Pakistan ties have gradually developed in each region, including trade and adventure. The altered local and overall circumstances in the developing globalization settings have determined the two countries to stretch out fiscal associations with organizations worldwide and neighborhood interdependency in return and adventures, in this way conveying budgeting relations at standard with political and obstruction relations. CPEC has the conceivable outcome to get congruity and thriving since quite a while now because of the engaging geo budgetary point of view and the prompt stakes of regional states in each other’s security. Regardless of the significance of CPEC for the zone when everything is said for Pakistan and China clearly, that they will be faced by numerous inside and outside encounters. The accomplishment of the assignment to be contingent on common worldwide issues, especially India’s stance on the attempt, Afghanistan’s shakiness and its flood to Pakistan, whereas conviction deficiency among regional countries. Nevertheless, as time goes on, perfect and clear execution of CPEC adventure as per the objectives of all key accomplices can raise the money related province of Pakistan and alter fiscal viewpoint of the state all things considered. 

References

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