Ahsan reviews progress on implementation of CPEC Action Plan for 2025–29

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has said that CPEC Phase-I brought around USD 25 billion in Chinese investment, added nearly 8, 000 megawatts to electricity generation capacity, and helped Pakistan overcome the energy crisis and strengthen energy security. He said the priorities of CPEC Phase-II are closely aligned with the five pillars of URAAN Pakistan, particularly through its five corridors — Growth, Livelihood, Innovation, Green Economy and Openness. Iqbal stated this while chairing a detailed review meeting to assess progress on the implementation of the CPEC Action Plan for 2025–2029, finalized during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China in August 2025. The meeting reviewed progress during the first year of implementation and discussed measures to accelerate work on agreed priorities. The minister said that Pakistan-China relations had grown stronger during difficult periods, recalling China’s critical investment when Pakistan faced severe energy shortages. He highlighted the development of Thar coal and the fiber-optic network as key achievements, saying CPEC Phase-II would build on this foundation through business-to-business cooperation, industrial development, agricultural modernization, minerals, human capital and technology. He said that the Growth Corridor would enhance Pakistan’s industrial and agricultural capacity to boost exports, while the Livelihood Corridor would promote social development and support less-developed regions. The Innovation Corridor, aligned with E-Pakistan, would strengthen IT capabilities and equip millions of young people with modern technological skills. “Our young population is Pakistan’s greatest economic asset, ” he said. The Green Economy Corridor would focus on climate resilience, water and food security, and agricultural modernization. He highlighted the government’s initiative to send 1, 000 agricultural experts to China for training in modern agricultural technologies. He said the programme would help create a critical mass of trained human resources and lay the foundation for a “Green Revolution 2. 0”, supported by improved seeds, farm mechanization, efficient water use and climate-resilient crops. Ahsan Iqbal stressed that the private sector must play a leading role in realizing CPEC Phase-II’s economic potential, with the government providing an enabling environment for investment and business partnerships. He said expanding exports was a “national emergency”, with the target of USD 100 billion by 2035 essential for economic survival. He called for stronger government-private sector cooperation to enhance competitiveness and establish “Made in Pakistan” as a globally recognized brand, while directing ministries to ensure timely implementation of the CPEC Phase-II action plan. He stressed that Pakistan cannot afford political instability while pursuing economic transformation. He said recent strategic and diplomatic successes must be converted into economic gains through national unity, reforms and better governance. “Pakistan does not need to heat its roads; Pakistan needs to heat its economy, ” he stressed, urging all political forces to focus on strengthening the economy and building a self-reliant and export-driven Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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