Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Actions, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, expressed confidence on Friday that China Pakistan Economic Transit (CPEC) Phase II will act as engine for next level of regional connection and economic growth.
He said, “Today’s talks confirms that CPEC Phase II will be the engine that runs the next phase of our contribution and growth, which includes five transites, innovation, green, livelihoods, and regional connectivity, with 5s of exports and energy, e-Pakistan and Environment.
He was giving closing remarks at the 14th meeting of the CPEC’s Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC), which is joining the chairman of Zheng Shanji, chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China.
The Minister said that the meeting confirmed the joint vision of the two countries and set up a Mahatkakshi Road Map for Phase II. The meeting was attended by ministers, senior officials, line ministries and experts from both sides.
Ahsan Iqbal, who has presided over 11 of the 14 JCC meetings so far, said that he has witnessed the evolution of the CPEC “In a memorable fact in the paper.”
“We have agreed to transform the CPEC into a transit of industrial, technology, stability and joint prosperity,” he said, adding that the gathering was anchored in an action plan signed during Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s visit, and in September 2025, President Xinjit Jinping and Puchery.
“The project has presented the plan, with today’s consensus, industrial cooperation, special economic zone, modern agriculture, maritime development, mining, technology, and major contact projects such as KH, and Gwadar covering,” he said.
He added that CPEC will create real opportunities for 2.0 youth, researchers, businessmen and workers, while the Central Line One emphasizes the urgent need of the One Railway project and the restoration of the Karakoram Highway (KHH). He noted, “The need to restore KKH through a major hydropower dam will preserve uninterrupted connection between our nations.”
To maintain pace, the Minister proposed to hold JCC meetings every six months and seek joint working groups in the first three years, as was practiced during Phase I. He added, “This will ensure progress in the spirit of CPEC 2.0 and to meet by our leaders.”
Ehsan Iqbal assured Chinese partners of all CPEC projects in Pakistan and absolute commitment to ensure the safety and security of every Chinese national work in the country. “We will continue to provide stable, safe and secure and enable the deserving environment for this partnership,” he said.
The Minister proposed to hold the JCC’s 15th meeting in May 2026 as part of the 75th anniversary celebrations of diplomatic relations between the two countries, “with a new commitment and joint vision, we will make sure that the CPEC will change the next decade.”
Earlier, in its inaugural remarks, the Minister of Planning highlighted the achievements of CPEC Phase I, noting that 17 major energy projects with a combined capacity of over 8,000 MW and about $ 18 billion have eliminated power shortages in Pakistan. He said that these projects enabled the country to use Thar coal and diversify its energy mixture into hydropower and renewable means.
On contact, he said that more than 888 km has been constructed from modern highways, which has made the regions a single economic place. He thanked the Chinese leadership that they needed some parts of the road after the completion of a large dam, confirming 85 % financing for Thakot Dry Port – KK HK Realine. He added, “This alignment has to be completed by 2028. We recommend the start of the prayer process immediately while the financial agreement has been finalized.”
On the railway, Ahsan Iqbal said that it is very important to modernize Main Line 1 (ML -1) from Karachi to Peshawar. He proposed a financial financial proposal with the Multan -Roori section in collaboration with the Karachi -Roori section through the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
He said that Gwadar had transformed from a quiet fishing city to Pakistan’s maritime gateway under CPEC. With Chinese grant support, Port City now hosts an international airport, hospital, professional center, delysis plants, and solar facilities. He added, “The next step is to market Gwadar as a regional logistics center serving Central Asia and the Gulf, in which Kosko has played an important role. During a recent visit to Kosko Headquarters in Shanghai, I have very good talks with its management.”
He remarked, “These are not just plans; they are the milestones of trust, trust and joint progress,” he added, adding that Phase II has to increase high quality, and sustainable growth, which is associated with Pakistan’s 5ES framework and five corridors of CPEC 2.0.
He said that for the future of the people, the roadmap must be revolved around three important elements, with the youth as well as the center of change of youth.
He noted, “About 60 percent of Pakistan’s population is less than 30 years,” he said, adding that in the next decade, China’s first 50 universities propose 10,000 foncing joint scholarships in the emerging sciences to create a major human resource for knowledge -driven development. He also advised China’s research -based Innovation Environmental System to bring Pakistan.
In parallel, he proposed vocational training programs, youth innovation centers, and internships in Chinese businesses so that young Pakistanis can be prepared to lead in modern technologies, industry and green development.
The minister also recommended piloting China’s poverty alleviation model in one of the poorest districts of each province to show success.
He said that Pakistan also tried to copy China’s rural harmony contacts through e -commerce, Agri Logistics, and digital platforms, which directly linked small producers to the markets of both countries.
On the trade, he emphasized that exports should become the engine of development. He remarked, “Despite China’s annual $ 2 trillion dollars, Pakistan’s exports are $ 3 billion. We gain access to the market under the CPEC on the same priority tariff terms, which ASEAN countries enjoy, so Pakistani products can compete in the Chinese market.”