Alvin M. Keeling 
ISLAMABAD:
The strong growth of trade and commerce activities seen in Qalandarabad, a small town in the Mansehra district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, is an example of how the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is transforming the economic landscapes of the areas it covers.
In Qalandarabad, a town between Abbottabad and Mansehra, the M-15 (Hazara Motorway of CPEC) connects to the historic N35 (Karakoram Highway or China-Pakistan Friendship Highway). This hub has become a new center of economic activities as people from surrounding hilly areas as well as Kohistan district in KP have started to settle there in search of better livelihoods.
“The city has developed enough in the past few years after the inauguration of CPEC M-15 and people no longer need to travel to Mansehra or Abbottabad for shopping,” said a shopkeeper.
Safdar Hussain, a local resident, said that a few years ago this small town was famous for its German charity hospital, Bach Christian Hospital, but now it is known for its growing business activities.
He said the Hazara highway has not only improved the financial status of local investors, but also motivated foreigners to establish their businesses in the city.
“The city is growing so fast that it could soon compete with the historic towns of Mansehra and Abbottabad,” he said.
Qalandarabad union chairman, Malik Amjad, said that although the local population is not large, the town has become a hub for more than 25 union councils in Mansehra and many others in Abbottabad, through which business activities gallop.
Grocery store owner Nisar Ahmed said there were only a few grocery stores scattered around Qalandarabad but now there are multi-storey shopping plazas where everything is available for customers.
Naseema Bibi, a client of the Behali Trade Union Council, said she did not like going to Mansehra for shopping, which was not only hectic but also time-consuming.
“However, after the departure of the CPEC from the region, the city has grown enough. Now I don’t have to go anywhere else for shopping anymore,” she said.
ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED ON THE CHINA ECONOMIC NET
Published in The Express Tribune, January 15and, 2022.
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