ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their strong partnership and vowed to accelerate the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with a renewed focus on industrial development, investment, and people-centric progress.
The commitment came during a meeting between Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong in Islamabad on Saturday, as per an official statement.
Both sides emphasized deepening bilateral ties, particularly through business-to-business (B2B) cooperation under CPEC Phase II. Iqbal conveyed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s message of goodwill to the Chinese leadership, thanking Beijing for its continued support during recent regional tensions.
“The people of Pakistan take great pride in our everlasting friendship with China,” Iqbal said, adding that China’s development model continues to inspire Pakistan’s own shift toward an export-led, technology-driven economy.
He also shared details of Pakistan’s URAAN initiative, which is based on a “Five Es” framework and designed to promote economic, social, and institutional reform. Iqbal noted that the program aligns with the goals of CPEC Phase II, especially in strengthening human capital and fostering sustainable growth.
Building a skilled, educated workforce and enhancing private-sector partnerships will be key elements in the next stage of CPEC, the minister added.
Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong reiterated China’s strong commitment to supporting Pakistan across multiple sectors. He praised Iqbal’s leadership in transforming CPEC from a vision into a multibillion-dollar reality and assured Beijing’s ongoing partnership in the corridor’s expansion.
