Key points
- Speakers, delegates reaffirm commitment to strengthening China, Pakistan ties
- Participants pledge to restore Chinese investor confidence
- The three-day seminar drew participants from across Pakistan
PESHAWAR: Speakers at an international seminar have urged investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, especially in its thriving tourism sector.
According to a press release, the CPEC International Seminar held in Peshawar concluded on a high note, with speakers and delegates reaffirming their unwavering commitment to strengthening the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China.
Investor confidence
Participants pledged to take China’s offer of enhanced regional cooperation seriously and to restore the confidence of Chinese investors—particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—to encourage robust investment in the province.
The three-day international seminar drew participants not only from 11 districts of the province but also from Islamabad and several other cities across Pakistan. The concluding session featured insights from provincial ministers, researchers, policy analysts, investors, and professionals from various sectors.
Dr Bakhtiar Khan, secretary of Culture and Tourism Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, invited investors to explore opportunities in the province’s thriving tourism sector, emphasising its immense potential for profitable ventures. He also identified key projects that present highly attractive investment prospects.
Iqbal Sarwar, CEO of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment, urged traders, industrialists, and investors to seize the opportunity provided by the province’s secure and supportive investment climate. “There’s no need to look elsewhere,” he said. “All you need to do is reach out to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Investment Board, and we will extend full cooperation.”
“Nearly $30 billion”
Tariq Iqbal, Deputy Commandant of the Special Security Unit (SSU)—established for the protection of Chinese investors—reassured participants of the province’s commitment to their safety. “The police have laid down their lives for decades in pursuit of peace, and we will ensure the security of Chinese investors to the last drop of our blood,” he declared.
He also provided a detailed briefing on the SSU’s structure and responsibilities.
Nabeela Jafar, Head of the China Program at the Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad, lauded the investments made during the first phase of CPEC, noting that “nearly $30 billion” has already been invested.
She highlighted that the second phase is expected to bring in “an additional $40 billion”, and emphasised the need for close collaboration between Pakistan and China to realise this potential.
Countering disinformation
Farhan Ahmed, a journalist known for his in-depth reporting on Pakistan-China relations, called on the media to play a constructive role in countering disinformation and promoting accurate narratives around CPEC.
In the concluding session, a resolution was unanimously passed to compile a detailed report based on the seminar’s recommendations and present it to the concerned authorities.
Participants also paid glowing tribute to the leadership of both Pakistan and China for their visionary roles in elevating bilateral relations to unprecedented levels.
