ISLAMABAD: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the significant role of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in bolstering Pakistan’s energy security, infrastructure, and connectivity during the Annual Awards Ceremony for Outstanding Pakistani and Chinese Staff of CPEC Projects 2026 in Islamabad.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Minister outlined the accomplishments of CPEC, noting that 43 projects worth approximately $25 billion have been completed, adding nearly 9,000 megawatts to the national grid. This progress, he stated, has helped address Pakistan’s longstanding structural challenges. Iqbal announced that CPEC is transitioning into Phase II, which will focus on industrialization, innovation, and inclusive growth.

Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, also present at the ceremony, reaffirmed the commitment of both nations to advancing a modernized version of CPEC, known as CPEC 2.0. He indicated that bilateral cooperation is expanding into new areas such as agriculture, mining, and social development.

Two significant agreements were signed during the event. The first was the minutes of the 14th Joint Cooperation Committee meeting of CPEC. The second was an Acceptance Certificate for the Provision of Solar Home Systems, an Intelligent Ground Meteorological Observation Station, and an Integrated Cloud-Based Early Warning Supporting System under the China-Pakistan South-South Cooperation for Climate Change Response.