The federal government announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming visit to China will officially launch Phase-II of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Both countries aim to set clear priorities focused on tangible, measurable results. The announcement followed a key meeting chaired by Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal to review preparations for the Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) session and the Prime Minister’s Beijing visit.
Minister Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that CPEC’s future must prioritize quality over quantity. He said only high-impact projects will move forward to ensure sustainability and build Pakistan’s institutional strength. During the meeting, he shared that Pakistan invited President Xi Jinping to visit Islamabad in 2026 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.
The Minister highlighted efforts to expand Pakistan’s trade footprint in China. He stressed removing visa delays to help genuine businesspeople travel smoothly. He also directed the creation of a plan focused on diversifying exports, strengthening industrial links, and maximizing benefits from enhanced CPEC market access.
On human resource development, Ahsan Iqbal stressed fully using the 10,000 training slots China offers across multiple sectors. He called for a transparent system to match trainees with institutional needs, ensuring Pakistan gains durable skills and organizational capacity. The meeting reviewed projects including motorways, IT training, AI infrastructure, industrial parks, mining, and agriculture.
Finally, the Minister urged targeted strategies to capture $30–50 billion of China’s $2 trillion annual imports. He ordered data-driven studies to identify high-potential export sectors and called for policy continuity and institutional reforms. The Ministry of Planning will coordinate all departments to ensure robust preparation ahead of the JCC session and the Prime Minister’s visit.