ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal hosted a luncheon Thursday at his residence in honor of Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong.
The Chinese delegation included Minister Counselor Yang Guanguan, Minister Counselor Xu Hangtian, Yang Dapeng, and Wang Jingjiu.
Ambassador Jiang acknowledged the return of peace and stability in the region and Pakistan’s conduct during the conflict, expressing hope that peace will benefit Pakistan. Ahsan Iqbal thanked the envoy and the Chinese government for their support during times of crisis.
The meeting focused on advancing initiatives under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The minister informed the ambassador that Gwadar Port is now connected to the national power grid, marking progress toward its full operationalization.
“Connecting Gwadar to the national grid is a key step toward making it a gateway to prosperity for Pakistan and the region. CPEC will drive Pakistan’s economic transformation and regional integration,” Ahsan Iqbal said.
Ambassador Jiang reaffirmed China’s commitment to Gwadar’s development and praised Ahsan Iqbal’s leadership in promoting CPEC. The discussion also covered preparations for the 14th Joint Cooperation Committee meeting scheduled for July 2025, with a focus on ensuring effective project implementation.
China expressed full support for Pakistan’s development under the “Uraan Pakistan” vision. The minister highlighted potential regional connectivity by linking Gwadar with Central Asia and Afghanistan, facilitating access to global markets.
On agricultural cooperation, Ahsan Iqbal said the first group of Chinese-sponsored agriculture graduates is undergoing training in Pakistan. He noted the distribution of Chinese-donated agricultural machinery across provinces, aimed at supporting research institutions and farmers.
The minister stressed the need to launch the Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade and the Main Line-1 railway project, calling them critical to Pakistan’s economic future. He proposed academic partnerships between Chinese universities and Pakistan’s Daanish University, and between Chinese medical institutions and the Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Centre.
Ahsan Iqbal also suggested reactivating cooperation on a Naptha Cracker Complex in Pakistan, a strategic industrial project. Ambassador Jiang welcomed the proposal and offered to facilitate discussions with Chinese counterparts.
The Chinese delegation expressed willingness to support small dam projects in Balochistan under the Livelihoods Corridor component of CPEC. The minister assured full facilitation of this initiative.
“CPEC represents a shared path forward. Through cooperation, infrastructure is built, communities are supported, and a connected future is developed,” Ahsan Iqbal said.
The minister was accompanied by Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra, Vice Chancellor of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics Dr. Nadeem Javaid, Regional Connectivity Specialist at the CPEC Secretariat Dr. Muzammil Zia, and Project Director Javed Sikandar.
