Is Pakistan Drifting Away From China? Asim Munir Stalling CPEC Projects To Realign With US

Last Updated:May 25, 2026, 17:16 IST

Asim Munir is reportedly stalling the remaining projects linked to the $62 billion CPEC, signalling Pakistan's intent to move away from heavy reliance on China.

Pakistan and China have been close allies for decades, but their relationship is showing signs of a rupture, as Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir is now reportedly stalling China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects as part of a strategic realignment with the United States and the Trump administration.

Munir has allegedly stalled the remaining projects linked to the $62 billion strategic corridor, signalling Pakistan’s intent to move away from heavy reliance on China and prioritise relations with the United States.

The CPEC is an ambitious infrastructure and connectivity project launched under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to link China’s Xinjiang region with Pakistan’s Gwadar Port through a network of highways, railways, pipelines and energy projects. The project became a cornerstone of China-Pakistan relations, although it made Islamabad increasingly dependent on Chinese support.

Recently, Pakistan has sought to project itself as a key diplomatic player by attempting to mediate the ongoing war between the United States and Iran. However, sources said the diplomatic push is also aimed at gaining Washington’s approval and reducing reliance on China.

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UAE’s Role In Sabotaging CPEC

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as another disruptor in the CPEC, with the Iran-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce claiming that the UAE is actively sabotaging Tehran’s integration into the economic corridor, in a bid to prevent Gwadar port from becoming a rival to Dubai.

Iran is seeking rail connectivity between Chabahar, Zahedan, and Mirjaveh to link into the corridor — a route that would position Iran as a strategic hub for trade between China, Central Asia, and the Caucasus, reported Iran’s Fars news agency.

However, the CPEC has progressed slowly, with only 38 out of roughly 90 projects completed. Iran’s planned rail link is expected to reach only 50-60% completion by 2026, partly due to what it described as obstruction by Gulf countries. Munir is now deliberately allowing the CPEC to stall, which is hampering Iran’s ambitions as well, as per the report.

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