Ahsan Iqbal, Hunan Governor Push Forward CPEC Phase II, Strengthen Pak-China Ties

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, currently in China for the 14th CPEC Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting, met Mao Weiming, Governor of Hunan Province, to explore fresh avenues of collaboration under CPEC Phase II. The minister noted the strong global presence at the BeiDou Summit and praised Hunan’s central role in China’s economic progress. He emphasized that the BeiDou navigation system, already adopted by Pakistan as its first foreign partner, represents not only a modern information infrastructure but also the deep trust and enduring friendship between the two nations.

Ahsan Iqbal highlighted that while CPEC Phase I addressed Pakistan’s urgent energy shortages and infrastructure gaps, Phase II is shifting focus towards industrialization, advanced agriculture, mineral development, cutting-edge science and technology, and stronger people-to-people exchanges. He stressed that Hunan can serve as a vital partner in these areas, particularly in railways, agriculture modernization, and technological innovation, which are critical for Pakistan’s long-term growth.
Governor Mao Weiming welcomed Pakistan’s proactive role in the Summit, saying Ahsan Iqbal’s participation was a strong reflection of the depth of Pakistan-China friendship. In a significant development, the governor approved the creation of a permanent working group with Hunan Province for CPEC Phase II, a move set to institutionalize collaboration and accelerate progress across multiple sectors.