China Pakistan Economic Corridor: Challenges and Opportunities

Pak-China relations have been exemplary in the contemporary international politics. Both States have been maintaining strong ties in terms of diplomatic and military cooperation. However, the close economic cooperation has added a new dimension in the Pak-China all weather partnership. Over the years, China and Pakistan strategic cooperation has evolved at unprecedented level. In the year 2013, the Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the construction of One Belt One Road (OBOR) that aims to connect China with West Asia, Central Asia, South Asia and Middle East. It is a bitter fact that, since 9/11 Pakistan has suffered in socio-political and especially in economic dimension. The regional security environment and rise of extremism and terrorism has resulted into the hampering economic development. Therefore, the CPEC project will prove to be game changer and when completed it will have deep impact on economic development of Pakistan in future. The CPEC provides an opportunity for Pakistan to stabilize its society and reshape its positive image at international level from fragile State to emerging economy in the South Asian region. The rise of China in economic sphere has been jealously seen by other developed countries while for Pakistan it has been a blessing factor. Thus, Pak- China strategic partnership entered into the new phase of economic cooperation that will certainly change the dynamics of the regional politics. This paper aims to discuss the multiple dimensions of CPEC its importance for Pakistan and China along with its internal and external challenges. Moreover, economic and security perspectives will be focused in detail. To fully understand the role of CPEC as driving force of economic prosperity, this paper discusses its potential as a game changer for both China and Pakistan. ___________

Effect of Feeding Probiotic Yeast on the Fecal Bacterial Community of Buffalo

Probiotic yeast has been frequently used in animal feed to improve gut microbiota. The gut bacterial community of dairy cattle is very important, because it may influence milk yield and animal health. However, knowledge related to fecal-associated bacterial communities is still very poor. It was hypothesized that feeding probiotic yeast (Yea-Sac ) would improve the microbial population in the gastrointestinal tract of dairy cattle (buffaloes) by analyzing the fecal matter. In this study, the impact of dietary addition of commercially available probiotic yeast (Yea-Sac 1026 ) on the fecal population of some target species related to gut microbes (i.e., Escherichia coli, Enterococcus, Lactococcus, Bacillus, Lactobacillus, Salmonella, Bifidobacterium spp.) was evaluated. For this purpose, six buffaloes were used as experimental animals and two equal groups having three buffaloes (in each) were formed i.e, control feed and experimental probiotic yeast feed group. For two month trial period (60 days), control feed group animals were fed on with routine diet whereas experimental feed group animals were fed on the same diet with addition of commercially available probiotic yeast (Yea-Sac 1026 ) 10g/day/animal. The fecal samples were collected on 1 1026 day. Fecal matter (1gm) was collected individually in disposable bags and used for determining the number of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, E. coli, and Salmonella species. Morphological and biochemical tests of all selected bacterial strains were performed. Results showed that a large bacterial diversity was present in the fecal samples of buffaloes. The relative proportion of beneficial (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium) bacteria as well as pathogenic (E.coli and Salmonella species) bacteria were altered by feeding commercially available probiotic yeast (Yea-Sac st , 30 th and 60 th ). So, it is suggested that the commercial probiotic yeast (Yea-Sac 1026 ) can be used to promote the beneficial bacteria in GIT of buffalo to sustain the balance of healthy microbial population and it also helps in reduction of pathogenic bacterial population