China/Pakistan Economic Corridor: A Critical National and International Law Policy Based Perspective

This paper focuses on the China/Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) arrangement between Pakistan and China from a legal and policy standpoint. It takes into account the Chinese Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Vision under which CPEC is set. The paper highlights the relevance of the application of both Pakistani law and international law to CPEC. In particular the paper focuses on some fundamental legal questions, for example the very legal character of CPEC. The discussion on the fundamental legal questions is followed by the various streams of legal frameworks that have a bearing on CPEC including the Pakistani Constitution and world trade and international investment norms. The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework of issues raised by CPEC. It is not intended as an exhaustive analysis of all the issues raised.