The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has become the most ambitious bilateral initiative between Pakistan and China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Its first phase focused on energy projects, transport networks, and major infrastructure. Now, with the launch of CPEC 2.0, the vision has expanded to industrial cooperation, agriculture modernization, technological innovation, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and socio-economic development.
For Pakistan, this second phase represents both an opportunity and a challenge. If managed well, it can transform Pakistan’s economy, generate employment, and elevate the country’s global relevance. However, ensuring the security of CPEC 2.0 is a complex and multi-dimensional task. It requires protecting not just roads and energy plants but also technology hubs, industrial parks, rural agricultural projects, and maritime routes.
Expanded Security Risks in Phase II
The first phase mainly involved linear infrastructure such as highways, power plants, and ports. These projects, while vital, were concentrated and relatively easier to guard. CPEC 2.0, however, spreads across Pakistan, from Gwadar’s industrial zones to SEZs in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The dispersal of projects across diverse geographies increases security complexity. Each site has unique risks—urban crime in Karachi, insurgency in Balochistan, tribal militancy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, or land disputes in Punjab. Protecting scattered industrial clusters, technology parks, and agricultural projects requires more than military deployment; it demands integrated, localized, and adaptive security strategies.
Terrorism and Insurgency
Militant groups have repeatedly targeted CPEC-related projects and personnel, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For CPEC 2.0, the threat becomes more nuanced:
-
Chinese professionals in SEZs are soft targets.
-
Agricultural projects in rural areas involve workers stationed far from secure zones.
-
Insurgent groups in Balochistan view CPEC as a symbol of outside exploitation and resist its expansion.
Even with significant counterterrorism successes, Pakistan continues to experience sporadic attacks. These incidents threaten not only lives but also investor confidence. A long-term solution lies in a blend of hard security (military and policing) and soft security (community development, dialogue, and inclusive growth).
Cybersecurity and Digital Safety
Unlike Phase I, the CCPEC 2.0 integrates technology-driven systems—smart SEZs, digital trade corridors, logistics platforms, and surveillance technologies. With this comes the risk of cyberattacks.
Pakistan faces multiple digital threats:
-
Espionage attempts on sensitive economic or defense data.
-
Ransomware attacks targeting ports, power grids, or financial systems.
-
Disinformation campaigns designed to erode public trust in CPEC projects.
Currently, Pakistan’s cybersecurity capacity is underdeveloped. To secure the digital backbone of CPEC, the government must strengthen its National Cyber Security Policy, enhance CERT (Computer Emergency Response Teams), and engage in deeper cyber defense collaboration with China.
Political Instability and Governance
Security is not only about physical threats—political instability also weakens the Corridor’s future. Frequent government changes, polarized politics, and administrative inefficiency have created uncertainty for investors and foreign partners.
Key governance-related risks include:
-
Delays in SEZ development due to bureaucratic hurdles.
-
Unequal distribution of benefits, particularly grievances in Balochistan over resource allocation.
-
Policy inconsistency caused by political transitions.
Political stability, transparent governance, and continuity of policies are essential for ensuring that security arrangements are not undermined by political upheaval.
Socioeconomic Dimensions of Security
True security for CPEC 2.0 goes beyond checkpoints and patrols. Local communities must see tangible benefits from the projects. If people feel excluded, resentment can be exploited by anti-state elements.
Pakistan must focus on:
-
Local employment: Prioritizing local workers in SEZs to reduce feelings of exclusion.
-
Land rights and fair compensation: Preventing disputes that could escalate into violence.
-
Cultural integration: Managing community relations between Chinese workers and local populations with sensitivity.
In this sense, socioeconomic inclusion is not only a development goal but also a critical security tool.
Geopolitical and Regional Pressures
Undoubtedly, it is a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, making it subject to intense international scrutiny. From Pakistan’s perspective, several external pressures complicate security:
-
India’s opposition due to its passage through Gilgit-Baltistan.
-
Unrest in Afghanistan, which continues to spill over into Pakistan’s tribal regions.
-
Western skepticism of BRI projects, which may result in sanctions, financing difficulties, or diplomatic pressure.
Navigating these pressures requires Pakistan to strike a delicate balance between strategic partnerships, regional diplomacy, and national security priorities.
Maritime Security of Gwadar
Gwadar Port is central to the success of CPEC 2.0. In the coming years, it is set to become a global logistics hub and the heart of industrial activity. However, Gwadar’s security challenges are unique:
-
Insurgency in Balochistan poses a constant threat.
-
Piracy and trafficking in the Arabian Sea require robust naval surveillance.
-
Criminal smuggling networks could destabilize economic activity in the port.
The Pakistan Navy, Coast Guards, and law enforcement agencies must expand maritime security capabilities with advanced surveillance, joint patrols, and regional maritime cooperation.
Institutional Coordination
CPEC security is managed by multiple stakeholders: the military, provincial police, intelligence agencies, federal ministries, and the CPEC Authority. While each has a role, overlapping responsibilities often create confusion.
To secure the future of CPEC 2.0, Pakistan must:
-
Empower the CPEC Authority with clearer mandates.
-
Enhance civil-military coordination at both provincial and federal levels.
-
Build joint crisis response mechanisms to handle emergencies effectively.
Without strong institutional synergy, even well-funded security initiatives risk being undermined by bureaucratic inefficiency.
Conclusion: Securing the Future of CPEC 2.0
CPEC 2.0 represents Pakistan’s greatest opportunity for economic revival and regional integration. But with opportunity comes risk. The security challenges of this new phase are far more diverse and complex than those faced during Phase I—ranging from militancy and cyberattacks to political instability, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
Securing the future demands a holistic security strategy. Pakistan must combine traditional defense measures with digital readiness, community engagement, governance reforms, and regional diplomacy.
Only with such an integrated approach can Pakistan safeguard CPEC 2.0 and unlock its potential to transform the nation into a hub of connectivity, industry, and prosperity.
Dr. Mohammad Arif is a policy analyst and researcher specializing in Pakistan–China relations, CPEC, and South Asian geopolitics. He shares insights on connectivity, security, and economic development.
