The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) involves various projects for the socio-economic development between China and Pakistan. This study determined the fundamental dimensions of sustainability, i.e., socio-economic opportunities and environmental impacts, with the development of the CPEC road project from Rehmani Khel to Kot Balian Package-2A. The primary data was collected through a survey method, while the secondary data was obtained through retrospective analysis. Statistical analyses, i.e., ANOVA, Chi-square, correlation, gamma, and factor analysis, were applied to testing variables. The study indicated that health services, education facilities, foreign direct investment (FDI), high income, and employment opportunities are positively associated with the CPEC road project, whereas negative impacts include environmental degradation, i.e., CO₂ emissions, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and agricultural land loss, which have not been identified by previous researchers. Statistical analysis showed a significant and positive relationship between social-economic and environmental variables, while some of the variables perceived an insignificant relationship with the support of the CPEC road project. This study will contribute to the sustainability literature and provide a comprehensive analysis for stakeholders and officials to design a framework of precautionary measures to minimize the environmental impacts and promote the sustainability of road projects.

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The degradation of water supplies is linked with poor anthropogenic activities. This study determines that contamination of water supply occurs because of destabilization of pipe material and deposits in the water distribution system due to physiochemical and microbiological processes that have developed over decades and cause health issues (Hepatitis C, and GIT disorders) which result in the death rate of 3.4 million people over the globe. This study was conducted in Gujrat, Pakistan and the primary source of data collection was a survey questionnaire while secondary sources involved a comprehensive literature review. ANOVA test, Correlation, and reliability analysis were applied to test the variables. The results of this study revealed that contaminated water supplies, oxyhydroxide products of corrosion, the mixture of sewage, and industrial effluents were significantly associated with the contamination of water supplies. The findings of this study also explore the contamination of household store water (HSW), contaminated water supplies, and the mixture of sewage, and industrial effluents that were responsible for water contamination, whereas; the condition of underground water supply pipelines was very worse. The use of upgraded water supply systems and water purification technologies is a common global practice that would be useful to reduce water supply contamination. The findings of this study will contribute to the literature on water supply contamination, the framework of water quality parameters, and low-cost adaptable water treatment techniques.

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a framework to provide all the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of mega projects for sustainability. Section 12 of Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA) 1997 regulates EIA procedure for mega projects that need to be approved by the respective Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce environmental impacts. This study identified inadequacies linked with EIA procedures of CPEC western road project initiated from Rehmani Khel to Kot Balian (package-2A). To evaluate EIA procedures for the selected road project, an EIA index has been formulated based on questionnaire responses. The respondents of this study included environmental experts, social experts, and consultants from the relevant departments. The secondary sources involved a comprehensive literature review and approved EIA reports of CPEC road project. For testing variables, statistical analysis, i.e., the gamma test, correlation analysis, and factor analysis were used. The current study revealed the environmental impacts of CPEC road project, i.e., vehicle emissions, land degradation, loss of biodiversity, and atmospheric pollution. The calculated EIA index was 0.47, which identified the deficiencies among EIA stages, i.e., environmental management efficiency index, environmental impact statement index (EISI), and mitigation index for selected road projects. Statistical analysis indicated an insignificant relationship among the variables for environmental sustainability for the road project. This study will provide an EIA index for implementation of EIA procedures to reduce environmental degradation and contribute to EIA literature for long-term sustainability.