Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called for a major transformation of Pakistan’s agriculture sector through enhanced cooperation with China, proposing that the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) take a leading role in revitalizing Pakistan’s agricultural research institutions and modernizing farming practices.
Addressing a workshop on Pakistan-China agricultural cooperation during his visit to the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Beijing, the prime minister said Pakistan and China’s “iron-clad brotherhood” was entering a new era of economic transformation, particularly in agriculture, research, innovation and rural development. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked CAAS President Professor Dr. Huang Sanwen and the faculty for conferring upon him an honorary professorship, saying the distinction was not only an honour for him but for the entire Pakistani nation.
“This year we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China. This occasion gives us inspiration and encouragement that together we will transform this iron-clad friendship into a great economic revolution in industry, agriculture, research and development, and other strategic areas,” he said.
The prime minister described agriculture as the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and stressed that modern research, innovation and technology were essential for achieving economic independence and empowering the country’s youth.
“When we speak of Pakistan’s future, we speak of our farmers working under scorching heat and harsh winters, scientists working tirelessly in laboratories, and students seeking knowledge in great institutions,” he remarked. He said Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) needed urgent revitalization and proposed that CAAS play a direct leadership role in reforming the institution and strengthening agricultural research in Pakistan.
“The roadmap is absolutely clear that PARC is dormant. If we have to build our future and empower our youth, then research centres must be revitalized with fresh talent and modern research culture,” he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited CAAS to lead the initiative for transforming Pakistan’s agriculture sector through long-term institutional cooperation, adding that Pakistan wanted the academy to help bring world-class scientists, academics and teachers to the country. Referring to the Pakistan-China memorandum of understanding on agricultural cooperation, the prime minister pledged his irrevocable commitment to achieve long-pending milestones in the agriculture sector with Chinese support. He announced that Pakistan would continue sending 1,000 fresh agriculture graduates from all four provinces to Chinese universities for advanced training in modern agricultural sciences, technologies and practices.
The prime minister said the initiative, carried out strictly on merit, would equip young Pakistanis with modern knowledge to revolutionize agriculture upon their return.
“Pakistani students here are the shining stars and future of Pakistan. When you return home equipped with modern techniques and knowledge, you will revolutionize agriculture in Pakistan,” he told the students.
He also announced that he would invite the students to the Prime Minister House upon their return to showcase their talent and exchange ideas on agricultural reforms and innovation. Highlighting his recent meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said both sides had agreed to accelerate cooperation under CPEC 2.0, with agriculture placed at the top of the priority list. “I am deeply touched by President Xi and Prime Minister Li’s remarks that China and Pakistan are all-weather friends and that China will extend all-out support to help Pakistan achieve economic independence,” he said. The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering resolve to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in agriculture, science, innovation and rural transformation.
“We shall continue to build enduring institutional linkages between our universities, scientists, researchers and young minds so that the seeds of friendship we sow today yield prosperity and shared development for generations to come,” he added.
Earlier, CAAS President Professor Dr. Huang Sanwen said the academy, founded in 1957 as China’s national comprehensive agricultural research institution, was committed to addressing scientific and technological challenges in agriculture and supporting rural development.
He said CAAS had actively implemented the consensus reached by the leadership of Pakistan and China and had hosted three consecutive meetings of the Pakistan-China Joint Working Group on Agriculture.
Professor Huang noted that more than 300 Pakistani PhD and master’s students had received education and training at CAAS, accounting for nearly one-third of the academy’s overseas alumni.
During the workshop, Coordinator OFSR Ahmed Umair highlighted Pakistan’s plan to establish five Centres of Excellence at PARC with Chinese collaboration, including centres for genomic crop research, livestock improvement and health management, climate-smart agriculture, sustainable land and water use, and food processing.
He said the project was fully funded by Pakistan and technical assistance from CAAS had been sought for architectural planning and institutional cooperation.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday held a series of high-level meetings with leading Chinese enterprises, wherein he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening economic, industrial, and infrastructure cooperation under the framework of CPEC Phase II.
He emphasized Pakistan’s focus on reducing post-harvest losses and invited FAMSUN to establish manufacturing and technology transfer facilities in Pakistan under the incentives available through Special Economic Zones and the Green Pakistan Initiative.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also met with Chairman Hou Jianxin and the delegation of Shandong Xinxu Group Corporation and welcomed the Group’s expanding footprint in Pakistan across maritime development, battery manufacturing, mineral processing, and industrial cooperation. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to fast-tracking priority infrastructure projects, including ML-1, KKH realignment, and other connectivity initiatives under CPEC, emphasizing that Pakistan valued the companies as long-term strategic partners in infrastructure modernization and regional connectivity.
The Chinese companies reaffirmed their confidence in Pakistan’s economic potential and expressed strong interest in expanding investments across agriculture, industrial manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure, and technology sectors. In the said meetings, Prime Minister Shehbaz was assisted by senior ministers and government officials who were instructed to ensure rigorous and timely follow-up of the decisions taken on the occasion.