Pakistan is finalizing the agenda for the upcoming China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting on September 26 in Beijing. The focus will be on critical infrastructure projects, including the Rs502 billion Karakoram Highway Phase-II realignment, the Mainline-1 railway upgrade, and the Eastbay Expressway in Gwadar. Officials expect to complete the agenda next week, with Pakistan seeking Chinese financing for most of these projects.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal confirmed the Karakoram Highway Phase-II cost rose due to a new 100-kilometre alignment. Pakistan also plans to request $500 million more for the ML-1 railway’s Rohri-Multan track. The Asian Development Bank has already pledged $1.2 billion for the Karachi-Rohri section, which is vital for mineral transport from the Reko Diq project. The Eastbay Expressway, linking Reko Diq to Gwadar International Airport, will also be discussed for 85% Chinese funding.
Besides transport, the meeting will cover cooperation in economic growth, green development, regional connectivity, livestock, and agriculture. Pakistan hopes to explore multilateral financing options to ease the financial burden of ML-1. Despite political and security concerns, China is pushing ahead with CPEC’s second phase, highlighting its strategic importance in connecting Xinjiang to the Arabian Sea and Middle Eastern markets.
Chinese officials stress the importance of improved security and consistent policies from Pakistan. A senior diplomat noted progress but said, “Security remains our primary concern.” Beijing is focused on ensuring the safety of its investments and personnel to avoid the disruptions that plagued CPEC’s first phase. The corridor remains a vital component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The second phase of CPEC marks a shift towards industrial cooperation, technology transfer, and special economic zones. Chinese companies have shown interest in joint ventures in waste-to-energy, mass transit, and a proposed high-speed rail link between Lahore and Islamabad. However, these plans depend heavily on Pakistan’s ability to enhance security and project execution to attract further investments.