Ahsan departs for China to participate in 14th CPEC JCC meeting

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Sunday departed for Beijing to attend the 14th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), scheduled for September 26.

Before leaving for China, he in a statement underlined the strategic significance of the upcoming meeting and its role in shaping the future of Pakistan-China economic cooperation.

“China has always stood by Pakistan in every difficult time. It is our trusted friend, and together, we will continue working towards mutual prosperity,” he said.

He said the 14th JCC meeting would serve as a platform to operationalise the vision for CPEC Phase II, focusing on industrial collaboration, technological innovation, and sustainable development.

“We will transform the action plan prepared during the prime minister’s recent visit to China for 2025-2029 into a concrete roadmap,” he said.

The minister said Pakistan was on a new journey towards economic development and national prosperity, adding that the country’s economic indicators have shown marked improvement in recent months.

Recalling the achievements of CPEC Phase I, the minister said Pakistan focused on foundational infrastructure, energy and connectivity.

“With around $33 billion in Chinese investment, we completed major power and infrastructure projects,” he said, particularly mentioning the Sahiwal Power Plant, Port Qasim Power Plant, Hubco Coal Power Plant, Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park, Bahawalpur (300 MW) and the Thar Coal Project.

By laying out a network of highways and motorways, he said, the government connected all regions of the country, paving the way for national integration and mobility.

Highlighting Gwadar’s transformation, Ahsan Iqbal said the port has placed Balochistan on the path to development. “Projects like port upgradation, the Free Zone, the Gwadar International Airport, water supply schemes, a modern hospital, and the East Bay Expressway are turning Gwadar into a regional trade hub.”

However, he lamented the slowdown of CPEC following political changes in 2018. “Unfortunately, CPEC progress was rolled back post-2018 due to political instability,” the minister said but expressed confidence in regaining momentum through the next phase.

Describing CPEC 2.0 as a new chapter, he said business-to-business collaboration, technological advancement, agricultural transformation, green energy, and the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) were included in its priorities.

He also said that during the PM’s recent visit to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, both countries agreed to align CPEC Phase II with Pakistan’s 5Es development framework under the “Uraan Pakistan” initiative. The five corridors under the CPEC-II vision focus on growth, livelihoods, innovation, green economy, and regional development, he added.

“This phase will create employment, drive prosperity, and lay the foundation for an export-led economy,” he said.

He said while China imports goods worth $2 trillion annually, Pakistan’s share was only $3 billion. “There’s a massive opportunity to boost exports and integrate into global value chains through CPEC,” he added.

Calling it a guarantee for a brighter future, the minister expressed a strong commitment, saying, “We are fully prepared for the successful execution of CPEC 2.0. This phase will ensure prosperity for generations to come.”