Pakistan Officials Begin High-Level Talks in China, Eye Expansion of CPEC Projects

Islamabad, Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi have arrived in Beijing, marking the first high-level visit from Pakistan to China under the new government. Their arrival was welcomed by Pakistani Ambassador Khalil Hashmi and Chinese officials.

According to Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives, Minister Iqbal addressed the media shortly after landing, highlighting the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and China and the support Pakistan has received from China during challenging times. He detailed the progress of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), noting that under the first phase, projects worth $25 billion, primarily in energy and infrastructure, have been nearing completion.

Looking forward, Minister Iqbal outlined the objectives for the second phase of CPEC, which will focus on expanding into sectors such as agriculture, industry, green energy, and technology. He emphasized that this visit is crucial as it sets the stage for the upcoming 13th Joint Cooperation Committee meeting, where these new initiatives will be further discussed and developed.

This visit underscores the mutual commitment to deepen strategic cooperation and accelerate joint development projects that are pivotal to the economic futures of both nations.