ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to advancing transnational rail and road projects aimed at boosting trade, economic cooperation, and energy integration across the region and beyond.
Addressing the closing session of the two-day Regional Transport Ministers’ Conference in Islamabad on Friday, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan is actively pursuing multiple connectivity initiatives designed to usher in a new era of regional collaboration and prosperity.
He emphasised that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) serves as a vital gateway for connectivity, opportunity, and cultural exchange, creating fresh avenues for trade and energy partnerships.
Describing CPEC as a transformative venture for the wider region, Shehbaz Sharif noted that it has successfully brought together markets and people across China, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East by linking Gwadar Port with China.
The prime minister added that, following the success of the first phase, Pakistan is now entering the “second and very exciting” phase of CPEC 2.0, which promises to deepen regional integration and expand economic opportunities.
The prime minister told the gathering that for centuries, the present-day Pakistan had thrived on connectivity, as from the ancient Silk Road to today’s Belt and Road Initiative, the region had always been a conduit of connectivity and opportunity.
“Today, shifting geopolitical dynamics and the growing dominance of economic priorities have breathed new life into this ancient corridor, transforming it from a relic of the past into a strategic necessity for our future.”
“Our geography links the warm waters of the Arabian Sea and the Arabian Gulf, traversing the majestic Karakoram and Himalayan [mountain] range and flowing through the timeless Indus Valley,” he said.
Besides, he said the country was working on a number of rail connectivity projects, like the Trans Afghan Railways and the Islamabad–Tehran –Istanbul connectivity, as well as enhanced air links to Central Asian Republics, along with frameworks such as the TIR Convention.
As 60% of Pakistan’s population was between 15 and 30 years old presenting both a challenge and a great opportunity, he said, “We may not have black gold, but our youth are our greatest asset, poised to become the harbinger of Pakistan’s rapid progress and prosperity in the times to come.”
Hosted by the Ministry of Communications, with a theme “Regional Connectivity: Opportunities for the Region,” the conference was attended by transport ministers and delegates from 20 countries as well as international organisations like Asian Development Bank, Economic Cooperation Organisation, International Road Transport Union, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
