THE BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE AND PAKISTAN’S STRATEGIC ROLE IN ASIA: AN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Background Pakistan is in the intersection of the economic opportunity and geo-political risk in the wake of involvement in China’s BRI, such as the CPEC. Recent literature (2021–2025) emphasizes the strategic opportunities, but also the limitations of this engagement.

Objectives: This study seeks to critically appraise Pakistan strategic stake in the BRI up to 2025 by evaluating the policy discourses, thematic trends in the academic literature, and their case study evidences pertaining to the flagship CPEC projects.

Method: A qualitative research design was utilized, using thematic analysis of 38 peer-reviewed articles and policy reports and content analysis of five primary Pakistani government documents exclusively disseminated from 2021 to 2025. Descriptive secondary data were extracted into six tables indicating, where applicable, themes, policy content, perceptions, strategic value, risk factors, and case outcomes.

Results: Major themes were economic dependence on China, strategic balancing, and infrastructure gain. BRI was consistently endorsed in government policy papers, with only a few exceptions. The response from stakeholders was divided: journalists and policy analysts were optimistic, while the media and academia raised concerns about sovereignty, debt, and transparency. Strategic gains—including energy security, regional leverage, and internal connectivity—were clear, but risks—particularly debt dependency and project governance—were prevalent. The results have been mixed with some CPEC projects being completed and others coming up against operational and security issues, as case studies have revealed.

Conclusion: The part played by Pakistan in BRI is of great regional and monetary benefits but also results in serious threats. There's a need for a more moderate and overt strategic approach in order to maximize the benefits to be gained and to minimize potential long-term vulnerabilities