This study emphasizes the utility and concerns of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on various sectors of Pakistan’s economy through the lens of real stakeholders. Specifically, this study focuses on three aspects: the beneficiary of CPEC; CPEC’s effects on employment, GDP, foreign direct investment and personal income in Pakistan; and the concerns regarding Pakistan’s sovereignty. A qualitative research approach was adopted to explore the objectives of the study. To analyze these aspect, in-depth interviews from different Pakistan’s business community are conducted. Our study finds that CPEC will not only beneficial for both Pakistan and China, but also for other neighbouring countries in the region. To validate these findings, interviewee’s data is analyzed in the light of semantic analysis approach. Our study illustrates that, the development along the corridor will produce employment opportunities that will raise the income level of a common person of Pakistan, and the industrial growth in Pakistan through CPEC will have a positive effect on the country’s GDP. Our study also concludes that CPEC doesn’t pose any threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty. The stakeholders of CPEC are concerned over the intentions of Pakistan government; that need to be clarified. This research study also suggests the maximum benefits out of this mega venture.

The current study analyzed the emerging innovation ecosystem of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) under One Belt One Road (OBOR). The purpose of this study was to analyze the inputs, processes, and outcomes of the CPEC innovation ecosystem. The mixed research method was applied to achieve the objective. A literature review of the CPEC and innovation ecosystem was used to build solid grounds. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 89 stakeholders (business managers, industrialists, academicians, researchers, and government officials) from different areas of Pakistan. Advanced text analytic and content analysis software along with mathematical procedures were further used to extract the anchors (stocks or fixed assets) and processes (changes related to various anchors, or stocks). The innovation ecosystem of CPEC is based on six processes namely Chinese people's involvement, other countries' connectivity, project development, economic activities, trade enhancement, and industrial development. Upon the disruption of any process, this ecosystem would not sustain. The combination of these processes further generates a unique structure to lead CPEC as an innovation ecosystem. Therefore, such type of infrastructure development project is essential for the economic prosperity of this region which makes the CPEC a demand-driven project. So far, it is the first study conducted on CPEC as an innovation ecosystem by exploring the relationship between anchors and processes.