The second phase of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is emerging as a defining opportunity for Pakistan to shift towards green industrialisation and strengthen its maritime economy. Officials, experts, and policymakers stressed the need for low-carbon technologies, sustainable finance, and port-led development to align with regional and global trends.
Green Finance and Industrial Transformation
At a seminar organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), former finance minister Shamshad Akhtar said Pakistan has already benefited from Chinese investments in renewable energy, solar panels, and electric vehicles. She emphasised that green finance must be prioritised as a national imperative, with innovative tools such as green bonds, debt-for-nature swaps, and eco-industrial zones integrated into the CPEC framework.
Mustafa Hyder Sayed, Executive Director of the Pakistan-China Institute, added that Pakistan’s unique geography makes it a natural pilot for green Special Economic Zones, powered by private capital and Chinese expertise. Former investment minister Haroon Sharif further urged the creation of climate-based banking infrastructure and de-risking mechanisms to channel private sector financing for a green transition.
Gwadar’s Maritime Action Plan 2025–2029
In parallel, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry unveiled a five-year maritime action plan (2025–2029), aiming to make Gwadar a regional hub under CPEC. The plan prioritises the expansion of Gwadar Port, the completion of Free Zone Stage II, and the integration with the New Gwadar International Airport.
Chaudhry highlighted projects like the East Bay Expressway Phase II, smart port technologies, warehousing, cold storage facilities, and marine tourism, including cruises and water sports. He also stressed partnerships in shipbuilding, aquaculture, and fisheries, alongside academic exchanges with Chinese institutions to train manpower in logistics and port operations.
Shared Vision for Sustainability
Wang Shengjie, counsellor at the Chinese Embassy, reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to expanding international cooperation in green finance and offering public goods to fight climate change. Both sides agreed that the new phase of CPEC will integrate environmental sustainability with economic growth, balancing infrastructure, energy, and marine development with ecological protection.
Experts concluded that CPEC’s second phase is not just about roads and ports but about redefining Pakistan’s growth trajectory through green industrialisation, climate finance, and maritime connectivity, ensuring long-term prosperity under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
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