ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and China are intensifying efforts to expand the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Central Asian countries, aiming to foster broader regional connectivity and economic stability.
The development came during a high-level meeting in Islamabad between Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong. Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and senior officials from both countries were also present.
The leaders reviewed progress on ongoing CPEC projects. They finalized preparations for the upcoming Pakistan-China Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting, where key decisions are expected to shape the next phase of CPEC.
Minister Iqbal reaffirmed that the successful completion of CPEC’s first phase had laid a solid foundation. The focus now shifts to Phase II, targeting growth through industrial cooperation, agriculture, information technology, social development, and regional integration.
Highlighting the significance of linking CPEC with Central Asian states, Iqbal said such connectivity would foster regional economic cooperation and long-term stability. He also reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to strengthen the security framework around CPEC initiatives.
Gwadar port and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) remain top government priorities. Iqbal emphasized the untapped trade and mineral potential of Gwadar and the need to leverage its deep-sea port through modern infrastructure development fully.
The minister also touched on broader cooperation in agriculture and climate adaptation, noting that Chinese-trained agriculture graduates could play a transformative role in Pakistan’s climate resilience.
Iqbal further highlighted the strategic importance of the Pakistan Space Centre project, stressing that China’s role in its timely completion is critical.
Ambassador Jiang reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s development vision. He expressed confidence that bilateral collaboration would continue to deepen across multiple sectors.
CPEC, launched in 2013 as a flagship component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aims to connect Asia, Africa, and Europe through expansive land and maritime trade routes. China has so far invested tens of billions of dollars in Pakistan under this initiative.
Earlier this year, Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to expand CPEC to Afghanistan, and both Chinese and Pakistani leadership have actively encouraged Central Asian states to join the corridor in recent years.
As the next JCC meeting approaches, both sides appear aligned in their vision to transition CPEC into a broader platform for regional economic integration and shared prosperity.
Related Posts
