Socio-Economic Impacts Of The CPEC In Rural Pakistan:A Case Study Of M5 Motorway

The China Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC)stands as the most rapidly advancing endeavor within the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI).This initiative has brought about substantial investments aimed at uplifting the socio-economic development of both local communities and the entire nation.Infrastructure development plays a pivotal role in fostering socio-economic progress in the areas where the CPEC project is implemented.Specifically,the development of road infrastructure plays a significant part in enhancing mobilization and facilitating socioeconomic advancements within the region.To comprehensively evaluate the socio-economic implications of the CPEC,particularly in the rural sections along the M5 Motorway,an evidence-based research endeavor was nece ssary.This research aimed to assess the impact that the CPEC would have on the local population.Despite the substantial financial investment in the CPEC,benefiting not only the national economy but also rural communities,there was a lack of primary data at the micro level,which posed a limitation to the study.It was imperative to investigate this aspect further to gain a better understanding of the progress made by the M5 highway and its effects on the local inhabitants.The primary objective of this study is to examine the socio-economic consequences of the CPEC,with a specific focus on the rural areas encompassing the M5 section.The research aims to measure the impact on various aspects,including health facilities,education,income levels,and job opportunities within these rural areas.Additionally,the study will address the barriers hindering socio-economic development.By comprehensively analyzing the overall impact of the CPEC,this novel research intends to provide valuable policy recommendations to overcome implementation obstacles.