Beijing, Addressing a seminar on the “Decade of CPEC and BRI and Beyond,” organized by the Belt and Road Center of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, outlined the transformative impacts of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on Pakistan’s infrastructure and economic landscape.

According to Press Information Department, Prof. Iqbal detailed the substantial contributions of CPEC in enhancing Pakistan’s power capacity by 8,000 MW and improving regional connectivity. He emphasized the alignment of CPEC’s next phase with the government’s 5-E’s framework, focusing on export, e-Pakistan, environment, energy, and equity, which echoes the Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng’s corridors of growth strategy. The Minister also highlighted the security measures in place for Chinese personnel and projects in Pakistan and discussed ongoing collaborations with Chinese entities to explore energy solutions.

The seminar, attended by a diverse group of academics, scholars, and state-owned enterprise representatives, served as a platform for Prof. Iqbal to invite further Chinese industrial cooperation, particularly in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), fostering B2B linkages and expanding on the initial government-to-government framework. He also encouraged academic research to better showcase the successes of CPEC and BRI, underscoring Pakistan’s role as a cultural bridge and its potential for attracting investments across various sectors.