ISLAMABAD: The 14th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) concluded in Beijing on Friday, marking a major milestone as the two nations officially launched Phase-II of the initiative.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, delivering the closing remarks, highlighted a renewed commitment to a shared vision and an ambitious roadmap for the future. He outlined that Phase-II of CPEC will centre on five key pillars: Growth, Innovation, Green Development, Livelihood, and Regional Connectivity.
These strategic priorities aim to transform CPEC into a corridor of industrialisation, technological advancement, environmental sustainability, and inclusive prosperity, Radio Pakistan reported.
“We all look forward to the next 10 years of CPEC Phase II having a transformational impact on the lives of our people. It will bring hope, create jobs, and bring structural changes in Pakistan’s economy, helping it become a more advanced economy from an agricultural economy,” Iqbal said.
Ahsan Iqbal further said this plan lays out a comprehensive agenda covering industrial cooperation, Special Economic Zones, agriculture modernisation, maritime development, mining, and flagship connectivity projects such as ML-1 Railway, Karakoram Highway (KKH) realignment, and Gwadar development. He stressed that early execution of these projects would yield far-reaching economic dividends for the entire region.
Ahsan Iqbal also announced that Pakistan and China have agreed to publish an updated CPEC Long Term Plan within 90 days, reflecting the convergence of Pakistan’s 5Es with the Five Corridors of CPEC 2.0.
In addition, he said, both sides discussed establishing joint laboratories on artificial intelligence and quantum computing, as well as enhancing digital and scientific cooperation under the CPEC framework, given China’s extensive expertise in these cutting-edge areas
Reassuring Chinese partners, he affirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the safety and security of all CPEC projects and every Chinese national working in Pakistan.
