Shabbar Zaidi Criticizes CPEC, Calls for Rethinking Pakistan-China Trade Relations
ISLAMABAD: Former Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Shabbar Zaidi has claimed that Pakistan should reconsider its trade relationship with China, arguing that the country’s economy could improve if its dependence on Chinese trade were reduced.
Speaking during a television program, Zaidi said he has opposed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) since its inception. He alleged that CPEC was promoted as a “game changer” but failed to deliver the expected economic benefits.
According to Zaidi, the expensive power projects established under CPEC placed a heavy financial burden on Pakistan, contributing to higher electricity prices and negatively affecting the country’s economy.
He further claimed that China had caused more economic damage to Pakistan than the United States, calling for a comprehensive review of Pakistan’s economic and trade policies to ensure they better serve the country’s long-term interests.
چین سے تجارتی تعلقات بند کر دیں آپ کی معیشت ٹھیک ہو جائے گی چین نے جتنا نقصان پاکستان کی معیشت کو پہنچایا اتنا امریکہ نے نہیں پہنچایا میں پہلے دن سے سی پیک کے خلاف ہوں , گیم چینجر ہے گیم چینجر ہے آپ نے لوگوں کو بیوقوف بنایا اور بجلی کے مہنگے ترین منصوبے لگا کر ملک کی تباہی کر دی… pic.twitter.com/8q8ci5n84s
— AMJAD KHAN (@iAmjadKhann) August 5, 2026
The former FBR chairman also criticized successive governments for failing to prioritize economic development throughout Pakistan’s history. He argued that political considerations have consistently taken precedence over economic reforms.
Emphasizing the need for structural changes, Zaidi said Pakistan would not be able to overcome its economic challenges unless comprehensive economic reforms were made the government’s top priority.
During the discussion, Zaidi remarked that if anyone could show him a single example in Pakistan’s history where the economy had been given the highest priority, he would even change his name to “Benjamin Netanyahu” or “Narendra Modi,” underscoring his criticism of past policymaking.
