Islamabad, August 12, 2026: A high-level delegation of the Communist Party of China called on Federal Minister for Planning, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, during which detailed discussion was held on giving Pakistan China cooperation a new political and institutional dimension under CPEC 2.0.
During the meeting, it was agreed that Pakistan China cooperation would be expanded beyond infrastructure and investment to institution building, governance, knowledge, human resources, innovation and young leadership.
Key progress:
- Political dialogue and strategic connections will be further strengthened.
- Benefit will be drawn from China’s experience in development, governance, long term planning and poverty reduction.
- Exchanges will be increased between the relevant institutions in the fields of political education, party building and policy research.
- Contacts and exchange of experiences between the young political leadership of Pakistan and China will be promoted.
- People to people and cultural contacts, peace, stability and regional cooperation will be further advanced.
- Alignment was highlighted between URAAN Pakistan 5Es and China’s 15th Five Year Plan, 2026 to 2030, in the areas of growth, innovation, green development, infrastructure and people centred development.
- In the next phase of CPEC 2.0, productivity, innovation, green development, employment, livelihood and regional connectivity will be key priorities.
The head of the Chinese delegation, Mr Liu Daxiu, while appreciating Professor Ahsan Iqbal’s long association with CPEC and Pakistan China relations, described him as “Mr CPEC”.
CPEC 2.0 is not merely a phase of new projects; it is a new foundation for bringing the institutions, knowledge, people and future leadership of Pakistan and China closer together.
