Infrastructure projects and sustainable development: Discovering the stakeholders' perception in the case of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been an economic game changer for both China and Pakistan. We investigate stakeholder satisfaction with CPEC projects in Pakistan, particularly with respect to the affected local communities. Given the project application and adaptability, two provinces-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab-and eight districts were selected randomly. Primary data from approximately 250 respondents as well as secondary data were collected. Among other models, a logit model was adopted to determine the role of certain factors in the perceived level of satisfaction. Results reveal that with respect to the relationship between land acquisition and dissatisfaction with a CPEC project, the level of dissatisfaction is 2.45 times higher when land is acquired by force or when compensation for the land is perceived to be inadequate by the local people. Individuals favor economic zones and development projects over road projects; the likelihood of being dissatisfied is approximately nine times greater in regions without economic zones than that in regions with such zones. Similarly, when no development project is allocated to a community, the probability of dissatisfaction of the local people is about 7.6 times greater. In addition, expectations of poor financial outcomes for CPEC projects cause significant dissatisfaction and are a source of tension among the local people. To reduce dissatisfaction, organizations and business communities must actively support the success of CPEC projects. A more equitable allocation of economic zones and development projects may help ease tensions and increase satisfaction among the local people.