CPEC to develop Pakistan’s knowledge-based economy, say experts

CPEC to develop Pakistan’s knowledge-based economy, say experts during a seminar organized in Islamabad.

Pakistani experts and officials have emphasized that the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is set to drive Pakistan towards a knowledge-based economy through technological advancements. They stressed the importance of intellectual infrastructure development to support this transition.

During a seminar organized by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) in Islamabad, experts highlighted the need for Pakistan and China to explore technological collaboration, joint research, knowledge sharing, and capacity building under CPEC’s innovation corridor.

Jauhar Saleem, President of the IRS, noted that the first phase of CPEC significantly improved Pakistan’s road and energy infrastructure, fostering socio-economic benefits, enhanced trade, and industrial growth. Moving forward, Pakistan aims to strengthen innovation by forming partnerships with China in sectors like IT, agriculture, and mining.

Saleem further emphasized the necessity of prioritizing research and development, digital infrastructure, and industrial parks. He stated that the next phase of CPEC should focus on intellectual infrastructure rather than just physical construction, enabling Pakistan to leapfrog traditional industrialization and transition into a knowledge-driven society. Additionally, he stressed the importance of equipping Pakistan’s young workforce with skills in emerging technologies.

Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director of the Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future, explained that while the first phase of CPEC was mainly government-led, the second phase will focus on business-to-business (B2B) collaborations. He underscored the role of B2B cooperation and digital innovation in strengthening Pakistan-China economic relations, advocating for open-source private ventures to accelerate modernization and align with Chinese innovation.

Asif Ali Khan, Chairperson of the National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority, highlighted agriculture as a key sector in Pakistan’s economy, employing a large workforce and contributing significantly to GDP. He stressed the need to modernize the sector with Chinese expertise and advanced agricultural technologies to improve production and food security.

Khan further pointed out that Pakistan could learn from China’s advancements in agricultural science and technology. He noted that over the past decade, China has played a crucial role in modernizing Pakistan’s agricultural sector under CPEC, and this collaboration should be expanded further.

CPEC, launched in 2013 under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), connects Pakistan’s Gwadar Port with Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang region. While the first phase focused on energy, transport, and industrial cooperation, the second phase broadens the scope to include agriculture, technology, and social development.