Islamabad: In a high-level meeting held in Islamabad, Pakistan and China reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with a renewed focus on industrial, agricultural, and technological development. The talks also set the stage for the upcoming Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting, where significant decisions are expected to further strengthen bilateral relations.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, met with Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, to review the progress of ongoing CPEC projects and discuss future areas of collaboration. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, along with senior officials from both nations, also participated in the meeting.
Professor Iqbal emphasized that the first phase of CPEC has been successfully completed, paving the way for a second phase that prioritizes industrial cooperation, agriculture, information technology, and social development. He also highlighted the strategic importance of connecting CPEC to Central Asian states, which he said would boost regional economic stability and cooperation.
Security for CPEC projects remains a top priority for the government, the minister noted, along with the development of Gwadar Port and the establishment of Special Economic Zones. “Pakistan is fully committed to utilizing the port’s full capacity and unlocking its trade potential,” he said.
Iqbal also pointed to Gwadar’s rich mineral resources, stating that with modern infrastructure, the region’s mineral potential could be fully realized. On the agricultural front, he underlined the ongoing collaboration with China, noting that Pakistani agriculture graduates trained in China will be instrumental in addressing the impacts of climate change.
He further underscored the national importance of the Pakistan Space Centre project, expressing confidence in China’s pivotal role in ensuring its timely completion.
Ambassador Jiang Zaidong reaffirmed China’s enduring support for Pakistan’s development efforts and expressed optimism about the continued expansion of bilateral cooperation in the years ahead.
