Ahsan iqbar, minister of planning, development and special projects, pakistan
In 2013, the china-pakistan economic corridor was officially launched as a flagship project of the “one way forward” initiative, which was a bold vision. At that time, pakistan faced severe energy shortages, inadequate infrastructure and stagnant economic growth. Almost no one can imagine that the china-pakistan economic corridor will bring such profound changes to pakistan's economic landscape in just 10 years. However, this vision has now become a reality, reshaping pakistan's prospects for connectivity, energy security and development, while deepening our strategic partnership with china。
The first phase of the china-pakistan economic corridor achieved results that were previously unimaginable. In the energy sector, 17 major projects have been completed, with a total installed capacity of 8904 mw, supported by two coal mines and pakistan's first high-voltage direct transmission line, with a total investment of nearly $18 billion. These projects have helped to put an end to the severe power shortage that has led to power outages in households and industrial stagnation. The long-neglected tar coal mine has now begun to provide electricity to factories and households and provide much-needed energy security for pakistan. For a large number of people, the economic corridor of the central-palestinian economy means light and work, rekindling their new hopes for the future。
In addition to energy, the transport infrastructure of the central-palestinian economic corridor also closely links pakistan as never before. Eight major projects, with a total investment of $6. 7 billion, have resulted in 888 kilometres of modern roads and highways in pakistan, and 853 kilometres are under construction. Among them, the javier tacot section of the karakunlun highway is a flagship ship that honours the world with outstanding qualities and strategic significance. These roads are not just a tarp road, but also a commercial artery, reducing travel times, expanding new markets, and integrating old pockets into national development. In addition to the roads, 820 km of fibre-optic cable from the red shia rafo pass to rawalpindi enabled pakistan for the first time to establish a digital land link with china, while the orange line subway train brought modern and efficient public transport to lahore. The central palestinian economic corridor is gradually changing the way pakistanis travel, trade and communicate。
This shift is most evident in the port of guadal. It was a peaceful fishing village and is now steadily developing into a maritime gateway for pakistan. With support from china, the port and its surrounding infrastructure are reshaping the socio-economic profile of balochistan. Advanced hospitals, vocational training institutions, desalination plants, solar domestic systems and the new guadal international airport are not just facilities, but also promotion of inclusiveness, improving the lives of local communities and creating guadal as a hub for regional trade and connectivity. Once elusive dreams are now becoming reality。
However, the achievements of the first phase are not the ultimate goal. A foundation alone cannot build a house, it is a foundation. Over the next decade, the china-pakistan economic corridor must go beyond infrastructure development to promote industrialization, job creation, export promotion and the empowerment of people. This is the commitment of the second phase of the central-palestinian economic corridor to turn connectivity into business, infrastructure into opportunities and partnerships into shared prosperity。
This road map for transformation was developed at the 14th meeting of the joint cooperation committee of the central-palestinian economic corridor. China and pakistan will align the next phase of cooperation with pakistan's national economic transformation plan, which is based on the “five strategies” framework: exports, e-pakistan, energy/environment and equity and empowerment. To achieve these priorities, the second phase of the central-palestinian economic corridor will be pursued through five new corridors of cooperation through growth, innovation, green, livelihood and regional connectivity. These five corridors of cooperation represent not only a project stream, but also a vision of a sustainable and inclusive future for both china and pakistan。
Progress in pakistan is already evident. Special economic zones are being developed to provide tax incentives, tariff relief and modern infrastructure to attract investment. With an abundance of labour, an excellent strategic position and improved energy and logistics conditions, pakistan is emerging as a highly competitive investment destination at the crossroads of south asia, central asia and the middle east. The special economic zone not only attracts investment but also integrates pakistani enterprises into global value chains, creating jobs and expanding exports。
Agriculture is also opening a new chapter. Pakistan has begun exporting red pepper, sesame, beef and animal skin to china, marking the rise of agricultural exports within the framework of the china-pakistan economic corridor. The real opportunity lies in modernization. By introducing advanced technologies, improving research and applying modern agricultural practices, we can significantly increase yields, reduce losses and raise farmers ' incomes. Cooperation with xinjiang province of china, which is highly skilled in agriculture, offers great hope for accelerating this transformation. A modern agricultural sector would not only ensure food security but also open up new export markets, create opportunities for rural communities and strengthen the national economy。
Science, technology and innovation will be another pillar of the next phase. The two sides have established a special joint working group on the science and information technology industry to promote cooperation in the front-line areas of artificial intelligence, electronic commerce and digital connectivity. Investments in fibre-optic networks, digital skills training and e-government will lay the foundation for a knowledge-based economy. For pakistani youth, this means not only participating in global competition in future industries, but also ensuring that the fruits of the digital transformation benefit every citizen。
The second phase of the central-palestinian economic corridor will move from intergovernmental projects to inter-firm cooperation. Civil capital, entrepreneurial dynamism and technological innovation must be at the heart of the corridor. This shift is beginning to emerge. At the recent china-pakistan b2b investment summit in beijing, nearly 800 enterprises from both countries participated, signing joint ventures and memorandums of understanding totalling $8. 5 billion. Such partnerships present significant opportunities for cooperation and innovation beyond traditional government-led projects。
To succeed, inclusiveness and sustainability must be at the heart of the next phase of the central-palestinian economic corridor. The benefits of this partnership must reach every province, every region, every family, not just the major cities. Equity and empowerment will ensure that prosperity is widely shared and environmental protection measures will ensure that economic growth is climate resilient and sustainable. Pakistan has also taken strong measures to ensure the security of the central-palestinian economic corridor projects and personnel, recognizing that peace and stability are cornerstones of progress. Our commitment to providing a safe and enabling environment for investment and development remains unwavering。
The first decade of the central-palestinian economic corridor has brought new roads, new power plants and new ports to pakistan. The coming decade must bring us new industries, new technologies, new markets and, above all, new opportunities for our people. It must create jobs, expand exports, enhance sustainability and deepen regional integration. As pakistan and china enter a new stage of development, the challenge is not just to build more infrastructure, but to turn it into opportunities and opportunities into prosperity。
The first decade of the china-pakistan economic corridor has changed the face of pakistan. The next decade will change pakistan's destiny. Pakistan and china will work together to ensure that the economic corridor between china and palestine becomes a corridor that offers hope, progress and shared prosperity to our two countries and to the wider region。
