ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring the success of the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with a renewed focus on agriculture, information technology, industry and mining.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz made the remarks during a meeting in Islamabad with a high-level Chinese delegation led by Cai Dafeng.
CPEC is the flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, launched in 2013 to improve infrastructure and connectivity between Pakistan’s Gwadar Port and China’s Xinjiang region.
The second phase of the project, widely referred to as “CPEC 2.0,” aims to expand cooperation beyond roads and energy into sectors including agriculture, IT, industrial development and special economic zones.
The prime minister described CPEC as a “game-changer” for Pakistan’s socio-economic development and reiterated Islamabad’s resolve to advance the project despite challenges.
Several CPEC-related projects have faced delays in recent years due to security concerns, militant attacks targeting Chinese interests in Balochistan, and bureaucratic hurdles.
The visiting Chinese delegation is in Pakistan as both countries mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, established on May 21, 1951.
During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif also reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for China’s core interests and thanked Beijing for its continued backing of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The prime minister, who is scheduled to visit China from May 23 to 26, said he was looking forward to the trip and to further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Pakistan and China have maintained close strategic ties for decades in areas including diplomacy, defence, infrastructure and regional connectivity.
