Links? What links. Investment decisions are based in ROI not links. What are you talking about?
In places where you have confidence to invest - that's true. In places where you have to worry about your investment that's not true.
I know for a fact that I can invest in AJK, especially Mirpur/Kotli/Dadyal ends (even North Punjab) and know my investment is safe because I have connections to protect it from qabza mafias. I have links to politicians, police, judiciary, civil society - I have family etc, so I know that my investment in that region is low risk.
I can't even point Gwadar out on a map. Today I might feel CPEC and PTI might provide assurance, but who knows who's Raj will be tomorrow. Without connections, my investment is higher risk.
That is not to say in AJK my investment risk free, most people are screwed by thier own family, but at least I have the connections whom I could pay to get things cleared up. I do not have that in Gwadar.
This is the case for all Pakistanis. Those small investors who will invest, will likely only invest where they have links. Places like Gwadar will remain in the domain of big businesses who can sue governments.