Islamabad : Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, met with the Ambassador of China to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Mr. Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, also attended the meeting. Senior officials from both countries were present.
The two sides discussed the progress of ongoing China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects and preparations for the upcoming Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting, where key decisions are expected to further strengthen bilateral relations.
Professor Ahsan Iqbal stated that the first phase of CPEC has been successfully completed. He highlighted that the second phase focuses on industrial cooperation, agriculture, information technology, and social development.
.“Connecting CPEC to Central Asian states will contribute to regional economic stability and economic cooperation,” he said.
The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to improving and ensuring the security of CPEC projects.
Minister asserted that the development of Gwadar and the establishment of Special Economic Zones remain top government priorities, he said, adding that Pakistan is fully committed to utilizing optimally the port’s full capacity.
He added that The Government is committed to fully capitalizing on the port’s trade potential .
He pointed out the vast potential for mineral exploration in and around Gwadar. “With the development of modern infrastructure, its mineral resources can be fully capitalized,” he added.
The Minister also discussed continued collaboration with China in the agriculture sector. He noted that agriculture graduates trained in China will play a vital role in helping Pakistan address the impacts of climate change.
Minister said the establishment of the Pakistan Space Centre is of national importance, and that China will play a pivotal role in ensuring the timely completion of this strategic project.
Ambassador Jiang Zaidong reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s development efforts. He assured that bilateral cooperation will continue to expand in the coming years.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
