Local Baloch Perspectives on Gwadar Port Development under CPEC

Abstract

This research, Local Baloch Responses to the Development of Gwadar Port China Pakistan Economic Corridor, examines the historical, political, and socio-economic impacts of Gwadar Port’s development under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Balochistan, Pakistan. Gwadar’s strategic location has transformed it from a fishing village into a vital trade hub connecting Central Asia, China, and the Middle East, attracting significant foreign investment and infrastructure growth since its integration into Pakistan in 1958. However, local Baloch communities face deprivation, with restricted access to fishing waters, exclusion from decision-making and persistent challenges like unemployment, water scarcity, and inadequate education. These issues fuel tensions with the federal government and Baloch nationalists, as economic benefits largely bypass locals. Research findings are based on surveys and interviews from 2025 revealed that 75% of residents acknowledge economic benefits, but 60% feel excluded from decision-making, with fishermen citing environmental degradation and displacement. Limited studies focus on local Baloch perspectives, particularly deprived groups like fishermen and youth, on CPEC’s socio-economic impacts. Objective of the research is to assess local perceptions of Gwadar’s development and identify strategies for inclusive growth. The significance of this research apprises policymakers on balancing economic ambitions with local needs, development of stability in a geopolitically critical region. A mixed-methods approach, including 250 questionnaires, 25 semi-structured interviews, and secondary source analysis, was used, with ethical approval from the Gwadar Community Research Ethics Board. Inclusive governance and equitable resource distribution are essential to address grievances. Gwadar’s sustainable prosperity hinges on empowering local communities and prioritizing their welfare.