Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal chaired a high-level review meeting on Friday to finalize Pakistan’s preparations for the upcoming 14th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) session under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The meeting, held in Islamabad, brought together key stakeholders from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Commerce, Science & Technology, Maritime Affairs, Railways, Interior, and Communications, along with conveners of various CPEC Joint Working Groups (JWGs). The participants reviewed progress on ongoing initiatives and identified priority deliverables for CPEC’s next phase.

Ahsan Iqbal underscored that CPEC 2.0 is now fully integrated into the URAAN Pakistan framework, a national transformation agenda aimed at turning Pakistan into a USD 3 trillion economy by 2047. He said the five pillars of URAAN—Exports, E-Pakistan, Environment, Energy, and Equity—are strategically aligned with CPEC’s goals for industrialization, connectivity, science & technology, and sustainable development

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The minister emphasized the need for rigorous implementation of CPEC’s long-term roadmap, directing all ministries to ensure their projects reflect sectoral priorities with measurable outcomes. He asked the Board of Investment to launch immediate outreach to 20–25 top Chinese industrial zones to encourage relocation of experienced companies to Pakistan’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

In a push for technology-led export growth, Iqbal directed the Ministry of Science & Technology to examine China’s progress in emerging fields and develop a national innovation plan. This includes identifying ten high-potential export products for targeted research and development.

Highlighting Gwadar’s strategic role in the blue economy, the minister called for fast-tracked development in fisheries, coastal tourism, and marine industries. He urged stronger collaboration with both Pakistani and Chinese businesses to unlock Gwadar’s potential as a regional trade hub.

To broaden CPEC’s scope, Ahsan Iqbal instructed the concerned departments to finalize a proposal allowing third-party participation in infrastructure and development projects, to be tabled at the 14th JCC meeting.

Iqbal reiterated that private sector partnerships between Chinese and Pakistani firms will be crucial to the success of CPEC 2.0. He said a robust business-to-business ecosystem will accelerate technology transfer, job creation, and industrial expansion across sectors such as logistics, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, and ICT.

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Concluding the meeting, the minister called for unified, results-driven efforts across all government bodies to ensure the upcoming JCC session delivers tangible progress. He described CPEC 2.0 as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economic modernization and a key driver of regional integration and prosperity.

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