What was once presented as a transformative engine for Pakistan’s economy — the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) — is increasingly seen as a project struggling to live up to its lofty expectations. Initially hailed in Islamabad and Beijing as a blueprint for rapid development and regional connectivity, the initiative now faces mounting criticism for its slow pace, lack of tangible progress and limited economic impact.

Observers say Pakistan’s leadership has repeatedly emphasised CPEC as a cornerstone of economic growth, promising infrastructure upgrades, job creation and a boost to foreign investment. Yet many of the corridor’s flagship components have either lagged behind schedule or failed to generate the anticipated results. Projects touted as catalysts for industrialisation and export growth remain incomplete or underutilised, frustrating both domestic stakeholders and foreign proponents.

Analysis points to a mix of structural and political obstacles. The country’s chronic security challenges and regulatory bottlenecks have discouraged sustained investment, while political instability has shifted focus away from long-term planning. As a result, major segments of the corridor have yet to transition from paper to reality, leaving critics to question whether the initiative’s original ambitions were ever grounded in practical feasibility.

The contrast between rhetoric and reality has also influenced investor confidence. Despite renewed announcements about new phases and cooperation frameworks, the underlying issues of financing constraints, weak governance and project bottlenecks persist. This has fed concerns that CPEC risks becoming more of a strategic symbol than an effective economic lifeline.

For many Pakistanis, the gap between expectations and outcomes is stark. What was projected as a game-changer for national development now resembles a series of delays and unfulfilled promises, prompting calls for clearer accountability, real progress on the ground, and a recalibration of the corridor’s objectives to better reflect Pakistan’s economic needs and capacities.