Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday hailed China’s development model as a "source of inspiration" for Pakistan, during a meeting with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong in Beijing, where discussions focused on the next phase of the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
CPEC, a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), was launched in 2013 to enhance infrastructure and regional connectivity, linking Pakistan’s Gwadar Port with China’s Xinjiang region.
While the first phase of CPEC emphasized energy projects and road infrastructure, the second phase is set to focus on industrialization, business-to-business (B2B) collaboration, and technological advancement.
“China’s development model remains a source of inspiration for Pakistan,” Iqbal said, as quoted by the Associated Press of Pakistan. “Learning from China’s experience, Pakistan is working to build an export-oriented and technology-driven economy.”
Iqbal, currently visiting Beijing to strengthen economic integration and bilateral cooperation, highlighted how CPEC had evolved “from a paper plan into a multibillion-dollar reality.” He also praised China’s unwavering support during Pakistan’s recent military tensions with India, stating that the Pakistani people “take pride in the everlasting friendship” with China.
“Pakistan-China friendship continues to grow stronger with every passing day and changing circumstances,” he added.
Outlining the goals for CPEC Phase II, the minister stressed the importance of industrial and technological collaboration. He cited Pakistan’s URAAN initiative, a reform-driven government program aimed at promoting economic, social, and institutional stability.
According to Iqbal, the initiative will focus on developing a skilled workforce aligned with the needs of the new CPEC phase, which will further boost industrial growth through enhanced B2B cooperation.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to supporting Pakistan across multiple sectors and welcomed Islamabad’s economic reform agenda, describing it as a promising path toward long-term stability and self-reliance.