Analyzing Pakistan’s Strategic Shift from Geopolitics to Geo-Economics after CPEC in Rising Asian Century

Abstract

Economic means of power are increasingly applied by states to achieve political objectives. Asia has emerged as an epicenter of world’s global economic activities with new emerging economic states particularly East and Southeast Asian states. The remarkable success of these states added to the economic glory of Asia and played a pivotal role in making the 21st century as “Asian Century” and there is a shift from West to East. Economists and scholars believe that China would play a decisive role in Asian century and would remain be the engine of economic growth of Asia as it’s the 2nd largest economic power of the world. China is primarily a geo-economic power and utilizes its economic power to achieve its political aims and objectives. Its geo-economic mega project “the Belt and Road Initiative” is the primary example. BRI is a grand strategy of China that is aimed at connecting Asia to Africa and Europe through economic corridors. At the heart of this strategy is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor both strategically and geographically. It is expected to reinvigorate the Pakistan’s economy while also transforming the regional power balance. After the inauguration of CPEC, a debate emerged that whether Pakistan is shifting its policy approach to geo-economic in policy circles. In this research through analysis of official statements, interviews, documents and data I tried to find that whether there is a shift in policy approach in Pakistan after CPEC. Furthermore, it also explores the shifting patterns from geopolitics to geo-economics in Asia and multiple perspectives about Pakistan’s transition of policy from geopolitics to geo-economics