Over the past decade, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has made remarkable strides in Pakistan, attracting direct investments totaling US$25.4 billion from China.
According to a senior official from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the CPEC has established a comprehensive “1+4” cooperation framework, with the CPEC at its core and Gwadar Port, transport infrastructure, energy, and industrial cooperation as the four key areas of focus.
The projects under the CPEC have played a crucial role in job creation, generating 192,000 employment opportunities. They have also facilitated the production of 6,000 megawatts of electric power, the construction of 510 kilometers of highways, and the expansion of the national transmission network by 886 kilometers.
The CPEC is widely recognized as a significant undertaking in China-Pakistan cooperation and holds a vital position within the Belt and Road Initiative.
As the CPEC marks its 10th anniversary, it celebrates a decade of substantial achievements. Beyond contributing to Pakistan’s national development and regional connectivity, it has also explored new avenues of cooperation in areas such as agriculture, science and technology, telecommunications, and people’s well-being.
China remains committed to building upon these achievements and promoting the high-quality development of the CPEC in line with the shared understanding between the leaders of both countries.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has acknowledged the pivotal role played by the CPEC in transforming Pakistan’s economic landscape. The implementation of multi-billion-dollar development projects under the CPEC has yielded socioeconomic benefits, propelling Pakistan’s progress regionally and globally.
The prime minister has expressed his commitment to expedite the pace of work on CPEC projects and enhance cooperation with China in sectors such as agriculture, special economic zones, information technology, and mineral resource exploration.Experts have lauded the transformative impact of the CPEC on Pakistan’s development.?