The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has shown significant progress delays, with only 38 of the nearly 90 originally planned projects completed according to reports from Drop Site News. This represents a completion rate of approximately 42% of the total project portfolio. The remaining projects show mixed status, with 23 projects still under construction and nearly one-third of projects yet to begin their development phases.
A particularly concerning trend has emerged in recent years, as no major flagship project has been added to the CPEC portfolio in recent years, as reported by Drop Site News. This absence of new major projects raises serious questions about the future of Chinese investment momentum in Pakistan. The stagnation in major project additions suggests potential challenges in maintaining the pace and scope of Chinese investment commitments in the corridor.
For years, Pakistan has projected its relationship with China as an 'all-weather friendship', with the CPEC presented as the strongest proof of this strategic bond, according to reports from Drop Site News. However, the economic data reveals a more complex reality. The slowdown in CPEC progress indicates that not everything is smooth between Islamabad and Beijing from an economic perspective, suggesting potential friction points in the bilateral relationship beyond the public diplomatic narrative.
Pakistan has requested an additional $300 million from the World Bank to cover rising costs in the Tarbela Fifth Extension Hydropower Project (T5HP). This funding request comes as Pakistan pushes ahead with one of its biggest hydropower expansion projects aimed at increasing electricity generation capacity. The new financing would serve as the second round of additional support under the Tarbela Fourth Extension Hydropower Project (T4HP), which is being used by the World Bank to process funding for the 1,530-megawatt expansion project. Officials indicate that construction of T5HP is already at an advanced stage with work progressing steadily, and the new generating units are expected to begin operations by July 2027, which could strengthen Pakistan's long-term energy supply.
