ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, stated that Pakistan has made substantial progress in road construction under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He noted that both Gwadar and Karachi ports are fully operational for cargo handling as per international standards.
Addressing the SCO Transport Ministers’ Conference in China, the minister emphasized that CPEC has significantly improved connectivity from the northern Khunjerab border down to Gwadar and Karachi. He affirmed Pakistan’s commitment to implementing the decisions made during the SCO conference.
Abdul Aleem Khan highlighted that Pakistan decided to keep the Khunjerab-Sust road open year-round starting from 2023 and fully supports China’s Silk Road Station initiatives. He expressed Pakistan’s desire to expand trade beyond its borders with Afghanistan and Iran and stated that additional trade corridors could become the backbone of Pakistan’s economy.
The minister also pointed to the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Project as a milestone for regional development.
The project aims to lay a 722-kilometer railway track from Khakharlachi to Termez via Mazar-e-Sharif.
He further shared that Pakistan is rapidly moving toward smart transportation systems and is actively working on digitalizing the transport sector. So far, 20,000 visas have been issued under the “Visa on Arrival” program for 126 countries.
Concluding his remarks, Abdul Aleem Khan said that regional growth is tied to mutual trust, cooperation, and a modern transport network.
ALSO READ: PM Shehbaz, Chinese envoy discuss CPEC flagship projects
He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to building an integrated transport network with SCO countries, emphasizing that transportation plays a vital role in development and connectivity. Pakistan, a permanent SCO member since 2017, is fully committed to improving regional communications.
