China seals multi-billion dollar deals with Pakistan, eyes up to $10bn in new investments

China has signed fresh investment agreements worth billions of dollars with Pakistan and is preparing to channel up to $10 billion into the country in the near term, Federal Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said on Thursday.

Speaking in an exclusive interview, the minister said international investor interest in Pakistan was gaining momentum, with expectations of broad based foreign inflows in the coming years. He said Pakistan and China have already finalised new joint venture agreements valued at $1.5 billion.

Beyond these agreements, Sheikh said China has signed memorandums of understanding worth around $9 billion across multiple sectors, including agriculture, automotive manufacturing and minerals, signalling a renewed phase of large scale bilateral cooperation.

He said agriculture and mining were likely to attract the largest share of future foreign direct investment, reflecting Pakistan’s resource base and export potential.

Sheikh also disclosed that a major Pakistani trade delegation, comprising around 300 business leaders, recently visited China as part of efforts to draw additional investment and deepen commercial ties.

Outlining infrastructure plans linked to mineral development, the minister said the government intends to connect the Reko Diq mining project to Karachi through Chagai via a dedicated railway line and a new highway to improve logistics and trade. He added that about $7 million would be mobilised from international financial institutions for the development of this economic corridor.

Separately, Sheikh said global demand for Pakistan’s fighter aircraft had increased following the success of Bunyan un Marsoos, with several countries expected to place orders in the near future.

The minister said these developments reflected growing global attention on Pakistan as an investment destination and reinforced the government’s push to position the country for sustained foreign investment-led growth.