Pakistan to fast-track five new CPEC corridors

Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, directed all Working Groups on Tuesday to prepare concept papers for five new corridors proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in August. These corridors—focused on growth, livelihood, innovation, green energy, and regional connectivity—are part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Phase-II.

“The concept papers for all CPEC Phase-II projects should be completed as soon as possible, aligning with these five new corridors,” the minister emphasised while chairing a review meeting on CPEC projects.

Iqbal informed the participants that Pakistan and China have agreed to begin work on these five corridors, which are aligned with Pakistan’s 5Es framework for economic development.

Detailing the new initiatives, the minister explained that the Livelihood Corridor aims to provide top-tier amenities to the population and create employment opportunities. Under the Innovation Corridor, new projects will be launched using modern technology, with a focus on imparting IT skills to the youth. The minister expressed confidence that comprehensive documents on these five corridors would be ready by the end of the month, to be shared with Chinese leadership in due course.

Iqbal also instructed the relevant ministries to develop five-year plans under the CPEC portfolio for submission to the Joint Cooperation Committee, stressing the need to hold regular meetings of joint working groups in September to develop the next five-year CPEC strategy. “Our focus should be on industrial and commercial development and increasing foreign investment,” he stated. The minister set a 15-day deadline for all relevant ministries to submit their CPEC-related projects.