CPEC AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF PUBLIC DISCOURSE IN PAKISTAN: A DEMOGRAPHIC, SOCIOECONOMIC, AND CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE
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Keywords
CPEC, Transformation, Demographic, Socioeconomic, Cultural Perspective
Abstract
CPEC, which stands for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, is a mega project that combines both infrastructure and economic development. The project aims to connect the Gawadar Port in Pakistan with Xinjiang in China by building a network of highways, railways and pipelines. This is the signature undertaking under China’s mega BRI (Belt and Road Initiative), which seeks to maximize regional connectivity and China-Pakistan economic ties. CPEC focused on improving the economy of both countries through social change in society. Culture is the way of living in society which includes both the tangible culture (buildings, technology etc.) and intangible culture (language, beliefs, ideas, knowledge and customs). When China and Pakistan collaborated with each other, their culture also diffused from one country to another. This study aims to know about the perceptions and opinions of common people about CPEC and its impacts on the socio-economic transformation of country. Cultural diversity affects positively or negatively the culture of native country. This socio-cultural transformation can lead to many social changes. The study was carried out in three districts of province Punjab, Sahiwal, Multan and Bahawalpur. Qualitative method was used for the collection of data. A sample of 480 respondents was selected randomly from three districts of selected regions of Punjab for getting quantitative data. Quantitative Data was analyzed through SPSS (statistical packages for social sciences). More than half of the respondents said that CPEC is a source of gradual cultural change in society. The majority of the respondents agreed that CPEC brings socio-economic transformation in all aspects of society like language, culture, food, work ethics, security, GDP improvement and rural development. The partnership with Chinese firms on the project of CPEC is a vehicle for technology transfer, knowledge sharing, and innovation-driven growth in Punjab. One of the major suggestions were that we should work together with Chinese to get maximum benefits of CPEC but at the same time we should take steps to keep our culture safe in its original form. By leveraging the opportunities presented by CPEC and addressing its challenges, Punjab is poised to emerge as a dynamic and prosperous province, contributing to Pakistan's overall development and regional integration.
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Sara Farooq
Ph. D. Scholar. University of Agricultural Faisalabad.
Hafiz Muhammad Younas
Visiting lecturer. Govt. College Univeristy Faisalabad.
Shama Mushtaq
Ph.D. Scholar. University of Agricultural Faisalabad.
Saqlain Abbas
M. Phil scholar. University of Agricultural Faisalabad.
Zareen Fatima
Ph.D. Scholar. University of Agricultural Faisalabad.
Naveed Farah
Lecturer. University of Agricultural Faisalabad
Larain Manzoor
M. Phil scholar. The University of Faisalabad.