All posts by Arif Rafiq

Arif Rafiq is the editor of CPEC Wire. He is president of Vizier Consulting, LLC, a political risk advisory company, and a non-resident fellow at the Middle East Institute. Rafiq authored the first comprehensive public study on CPEC, "The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: Barriers and Impact," published by the U.S. Institute of Peace. He can be reached via email at [email protected].

Bangladeshi Official Labels Opposition ‘Pro-Pakistan and Pro-China’

In a visit to New Delhi, Hossain Toufique Imam, an aide to Sheikh Hasina Wajed, the prime minister of Bangladesh, said that the embattled Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP has been an “anti-India” party “right from the beginning” and “tried...

Arif Rafiq / July 12, 2018

Caretaker finance minister leads CPEC review

Caretaker governments are in power in Pakistan, but they, along with the permanent bureaucracy, continue to keep the CPEC train chugging along. Last week, Balochistan Chief Minister Alauddin Marri led a business forum in Quetta that brought together Chinese business...

Arif Rafiq / July 12, 2018
A handcrafted fishing boat transformed in casual seating along the beach in Gwadar, Pakistan. (Photo Credit: Arif Rafiq)

Why Gwadar Needs a Cultural Tourism Strategy

The port and industrial zone are at the heart of the vision for Gwadar, but cultural spaces will provide additional drivers of economic activity and shape a broader, inclusive narrative for the city.

Arif Rafiq / May 30, 2018

Gwadar’s Real Estate Market Picks Up

New entrants into Gwadar real estate — potentially including Chinese private equity players — signal how this market might be different from others in Pakistan.

Arif Rafiq / May 7, 2018
A handcrafted fishing boat in Gwadar, Pakistan. (Photo Credit: Arif Rafiq)

Where Gwadar Stands Today

The Arabian Sea port is far from being the promised 'next Dubai,' but some of its major challenges are now being addressed.

Arif Rafiq / May 1, 2018