CPEC Seminar in Peshawar outlines path for future growth as it discussed the various aspects of cooperation under the flagship project.
The three-day International CPEC Seminar, hosted by China Window in Peshawar, began with a strong reaffirmation of the enduring Pakistan-China friendship and discussions on the future potential of regional collaboration under CPEC. Diplomats, academics, and officials highlighted a decade of progress and laid out a roadmap for the corridor’s second phase.
Former Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood, now DG of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, termed the Pakistan-China partnership as resilient and based on enduring trust. Calling CPEC the “crown jewel” of this bond, he noted its focus on connectivity and prosperity. He emphasized that the second phase, centered on industrialization, agriculture, IT, and innovation, needs institutional synergy and robust policies. He added that Pakistan could emerge as a regional economic hub if internal governance is strengthened.
Joining virtually from Beijing, Ambassador Khalil Hashmi called CPEC the flagship of the Belt and Road Initiative, crediting it for reshaping Pakistan’s economic landscape within a decade. He cited $26 billion in investments, over 230,000 jobs, and key infrastructure achievements, including an operational Gwadar Port and the launch of Gwadar Airport and optical fiber connectivity, as milestones.
He further shared that the corridor is evolving into a new stage based on five major pathways: growth, livelihoods, innovation, green development, and openness. These align with Pakistan’s 5Es framework and broader transformation goals. He emphasized a future marked by B2B cooperation, tech transfer, and youth empowerment, moving beyond infrastructure into inclusive development.
Ambassador Hashmi appreciated China Window’s efforts in boosting economic and cultural relations and stressed the importance of such dialogues in raising public awareness about CPEC’s long-term significance.
Former Ambassador Naghmana Hashmi highlighted the geopolitical weight of CPEC and acknowledged its substantial contributions to energy, infrastructure, and upcoming SEZs. However, she warned against internal political instability, poor provincial coordination, and external misinformation. She urged consistent government ownership and stronger local capacity to attract private investment.
Iranian Consul General in Peshawar, Ali Banafshekhah, expressed Tehran’s interest in joining regional growth through CPEC. He suggested cooperation between Chabahar and Gwadar ports and proposed joint trade and energy initiatives. He encouraged partnerships among cultural institutions from Iran, China, and Pakistan to promote dialogue and peace.
The seminar was widely appreciated for revisiting CPEC’s successes while addressing future opportunities and obstacles. Attendees emphasized that CPEC represents more than infrastructure as it embodies trust, shared prosperity, and a collective future.
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