Urumqi, China: December 02, 2025: At the inaugural Tianshan Forum on Central Asia Economic Cooperation in Urumqi, China, Federal Minister Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, presented a comprehensive vision for advancing regional economic integration and connectivity. He emphasized Pakistan’s role as a strategic hub linking China, Central Asia, South Asia, and global markets, highlighting the importance of development-led cooperation for shared prosperity across the region.
To operationalize this vision, Prof. Iqbal outlined four actionable frameworks. These include the
• Establishment of a Joint Task Force on Connectivity and Economic Integration to streamline rail, port, and digital trade systems;
• The development of Regional Special Economic Zones to promote industrial growth and attract investment;
• A Eurasian Energy and Green Transition Partnership to enhance electricity trade, renewable energy collaboration, and climate-resilient infrastructure; and
• A Digital Silk Road & Future Skills Alliance to empower youth, foster innovation, and strengthen regional knowledge economies.
These initiatives are designed to address shared challenges, including climate change, technological disruption, human development gaps, and financing constraints, while fostering sustainable regional growth.
Prof. Iqbal highlighted the transformative impact of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Pakistan’s flagship Belt and Road Initiative project.
• CPEC has added 8,000 MW to the national grid,
• developed over 1,000 kilometers of modern highways,
• operationalized Gwadar Port,
• laid the foundation for Special Economic Zones, and
• established a digital infrastructure to enable future IT and AI collaboration.
Complementing CPEC, the Minister highlighted that the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) framework connects eleven countries through six major corridors, modernized border systems, and enhanced trade facilitation, creating one of the world’s largest integrated connectivity networks.
Concluding his address, Prof. Iqbal underscored that the 21st century will be defined not merely by geography, but by the strategic choices nations make. He stressed that connectivity over isolation, cooperation over fragmentation, and long-term vision over short-term interests will allow Pakistan, alongside China and Central Asian partners, to lead the region toward stability, innovation, and shared prosperity.
