Author: Shahryar Khan Niazi
Book: Game Plan: Pakistan Economic Gateway Vision, Strategy and Leverage in a New World Order
Publisher: Karachi: Markings Publishing, 2024, pp. 130.
The book under review is an innovative and a creative work done by the author articulating his vision for Pakistan Economic Gateway (PEG). Equipped with maps of strategic straits and waterways in different seas and oceans, the book gives vivid account of how Pakistan can make use of its geographical location for emerging as an economic gateway. As remarked by the author in the introductory part of his book, the manuscript “highlights future challenges and opportunities of the politics of major powers and provides a road map for Pakistan to become a formidable power; however, governance and resourcing strategies will determine Pakistan’s success and position in the new world order”.
In order to strengthen his argument to transform Pakistan as an economic gateway the author argues that, “I think Pakistan needs a comprehensive plan to develop its natural resources and infrastructure in order to unlock its vast economic potential and create prosperity”. There are chapters on maritime trade, China and the emergence of the Pax Sinica; India’s new power: the grand strategy; Pakistan Economic Gateway; U.S the hegemon and the New World Order and Pakistan navigating the second cold war. The book gives an extensive account of the Strait of Malacca; the Strait of Hormuz, the Strait of Bab El Mandeb; the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal and the Strait of Bhosphorus. How these straits and choke points matter in shaping global trade and commerce is a fundamental question which has been responded in the book under review.
Bad governance, absence of rule of law, lack of accountability, corruption and nepotism remain major impediments to transforming Pakistan’s strategic geography into genuine economic power.
On China’s ambition to become a superpower, the author argues that, “the BRI is the platform to realize the Chinese dream and is China’s ticket to becoming the world’s leading superpower. The U.S sees it as a challenge to its global dominance and hegemony”. (p.31). Henceforth, “there is no denying India’s potential as a country and the geographical advantage it possesses in the Indian Ocean. However, American strategists may question the level to which they want to support India’s growing economic and military strength.” p. 36.
While explaining the importance and significance of Pakistan Economic Gateway, the author holds that “PEG is a network of transport and trade corridors that aims to enhance connectivity between participating countries using Pakistan’s key geostrategic location. The creation of new trade routes will contribute to ensuring a secure global supply chain and tackle transportation challenges caused by natural disasters, accidents, conflicts, piracy, pandemics and capacity issues.” P. 39.
The author divides PEG into four regions: the western, eastern, northern and southern corridors. The western region borders Afghanistan and Iran; the eastern region borders India, the northern region borders China and the southern region borders Indian Ocean. These regions compromise overland and hybrid corridors, as well as maritime corridors. Most important, the author maintains that “as a part of the PEG network, Gwadar will provide countries with direct access to the Indian Ocean, bypassing major choke points and enhancing regional trade and connectivity. The port will gain significance in the second quarter of the twenty first century.” p. 68. While concluding the significance of PEG, the author argues that, “Pakistan Economic Gateway presents Pakistan with the opportunity to take on a crucial role as an architect and driver of international trade. The fundamental point is that Pakistan must stay ahead of the game.”
The book has useful appendixes and Annexures dealing with EU transport network; Africa highway network; Australian transport network, Iraq railway network, Turkey railway network, China railway network, GCC railway network along with Pakistan-Iran-Turkey-Europe corridor vs. India-Middle East, Europe Economic Corridor. With enormous information and analysis reflecting Pakistan Economic Gateway the author has also mentioned challenges which Islamabad is facing to make use of such corridors while keeping in mind its unique geographical location.
While critically evaluating the book, the reviewer is of the opinion that the author while examining the potential of Pakistan to make use of its economic gateway, the issues reflecting bad governance, absence of rule of law, lack of accountability, corruption and nepotism which negatively impact on different projects should have been termed as a major impediment to transform Pakistan as an economic giant. Even the BRI under CPEC has not been able to modernize Pakistan’s infrastructure because of poor work ethics and improper implementation of projects. Inability of Pakistan to launch M-L1 a fast railway line connecting Karachi and Peshawar is a case in point along with the absence of motorway between Hyderabad and Sukkar which carries bulk of transport trade from Karachi to upcountry. Indeed, this book is useful for intelligentsia and policy makers to transform the vision of Pakistan Economic Gateway into a reality and its contents must be read with seriousness.