Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Monday underscored the strategic urgency of commencing Phase II of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) upgrade and the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project, calling them lifelines for Pakistan’s economic and regional integration. The remarks were made during a luncheon hosted in Islamabad in honour of Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong.
The high-level engagement focused on revitalising momentum behind the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with both sides reaffirming their commitment to fast-tracking its key initiatives. Minister Iqbal lauded China’s unwavering support through crises, stating, “At every critical juncture in our history, China has stood by Pakistan as a rock-solid partner. Our friendship is not seasonal—it is a bond forged in trust, mutual respect, and shared dreams for the future.”
Ambassador Jiang praised Pakistan’s role in maintaining regional stability amid recent geopolitical tensions and said the return of peace would bear economic fruit. He also reaffirmed Beijing’s confidence in Pakistan’s development trajectory, particularly under the “Uraan Pakistan” vision.
One of the key updates shared by Minister Iqbal was the full integration of Gwadar Port into Pakistan’s national power grid—an important milestone in operationalizing the port as a logistics and trade gateway not only for Pakistan but the broader region. “Connecting Gwadar to the national grid marks a turning point for making it a true gateway to prosperity,” he said, adding that CPEC remains the primary engine for driving Pakistan’s economic transformation.
Ambassador Jiang echoed the sentiment, noting that Gwadar’s strategic relevance is gaining global recognition and reaffirmed China’s commitment to its full development. He also praised Minister Iqbal’s sustained leadership in making CPEC a regional cooperation model.
The meeting also served as a preparatory discussion for the upcoming 14th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) scheduled for July 2025. Minister Iqbal pledged a results-focused approach for the session, noting that it will mark a transition “from planning to performance” and ensure tangible project outcomes.
Beyond transport infrastructure, discussions extended to agriculture and industrial cooperation. Minister Iqbal shared progress on the Chinese-sponsored training of Pakistani agriculture graduates, calling them future agents of transformation in Pakistan’s agri-sector. Additionally, he informed the Ambassador of the efficient distribution of Chinese-donated farm machinery across all provinces, highlighting its potential impact on food security and inclusive rural development.
In the realm of education and research, Iqbal proposed formal academic collaborations between top Chinese universities and Pakistan’s Daanish University, as well as between Chinese medical institutions and the Jinnah Medical Complex & Research Centre.
Further, the Minister suggested reactivating discussions for the establishment of a long-conceived Naptha Cracker Complex—an industrial project seen as critical for downstream petrochemical development. Ambassador Jiang welcomed the proposal and assured support in initiating dialogue with relevant Chinese authorities.
Ambassador Jiang also indicated China’s readiness to support small dam projects in Balochistan under CPEC’s Livelihoods Corridor component. Minister Iqbal thanked him for the offer and assured full facilitation at the federal and provincial levels.
Concluding the meeting, Minister Iqbal reaffirmed the strategic vision underpinning CPEC: “CPEC is not just a bilateral initiative; it is a symbol of shared destiny. With Chinese cooperation, we are building infrastructure, empowering communities, and paving the path toward a brighter, more connected future.”
