True, development is necessary. But who is getting developed when money comes at a higher cost, material and labor comes from China, and assets that get developed are out of reach for the locals? What did Pakistanis themselves do in CPEC, except maybe flip some burgers for Chinese engineers? The crux of any infra project is the multiplier effect and a low cost of capital- both of which are taken away by BRI projects- Pakistan's loan portfolio was at more than 4% in dollar terms,(which is higher than a sovereign debt rate if "iron brother" considerations are in place, ADB itself has lent at lesser) and the immense preferential treatment given to Chinese firms, and all the multiplier effect which could've occurred by flowing the money downstream in terms of subcontracting, semi skilled and high skilled labour wages, capability development- all gone for a toss. Infra created didn't follow a desirable process, didn't create a desirable result either (lane traffic in Pakistan is piss poor, cargo handling of Gwadar is nil)