Geo-economic and geo-political significance of QTTA in the context of regional connectivity

Regional connectivity has become an increasingly significant phenomenon, especially after the initiation of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Pakistan’s unique geographical position however presents another important alternate route through China as long before CPEC, Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan signed Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement (QTTA) in 1995 to create a regional trade corridor between Pakistan and Central Asia through Chinese territory. Unfortunately, this project has not played any significant role in enhancing regional connectivity so far. Recently, the member states have shown some enthusiasm to develop this corridor and extend it to more Central Asian states. This study is an effort to make the Government of Pakistan realize the importance of this route.