**Ambassador Jiang Zaidong calls for deeper regional connectivity tostrengthen Pakistan’s geo-economic role and integrate Belt and Roadprojects.**——————————
At the “CPEC in My Eyes” forum in Islamabad, Chinese Ambassador to PakistanJiang Zaidong proposed extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) to Afghanistan, Iran, and other regional partners. He said theexpansion would open new trade routes across Central, South, and West Asia,transforming Pakistan from a purely geopolitical focal point into ageo-economic hub.
Jiang reaffirmed that CPEC remains the cornerstone of Pakistan’s economictransformation. Since its launch, the project has attracted $25.4 billionin investment, added over 8,000 MW of power to the national grid, laid 886km of transmission lines, and built 510 km of motorways. Signature projectsinclude the Sukkur-Multan Motorway, East Bay Expressway, and major upgradesto Gwadar Port. Social welfare initiatives in Gwadar—such as theChinese-funded Friendship Hospital, which has treated 90,000 patients, anda 5,000-ton-per-day desalination plant—have improved local living standards.
He outlined five thematic priorities for CPEC’s “enhanced version”: growth,livelihood, innovation, green development, and openness. Jiang rejectedclaims of project slowdowns, calling them politically motivated, andpraised Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts, expressing confidence thatsecurity challenges will be overcome.
The proposal builds on earlier discussions between China, Pakistan, andAfghanistan to link CPEC with Afghan infrastructure, potentially connectingto Iran and Central Asian markets. Analysts see this as an opportunity tointegrate Afghanistan into regional trade systems, while critics warn ofthe geopolitical sensitivities involved, particularly India’s oppositiondue to CPEC’s route through Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
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Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar described CPEC as a “sharing ofdreams and hopes” that has created jobs, strengthened agriculture,industry, and trade, and linked Khunjerab to Gwadar. He said Gwadar Port isbeing upgraded to international standards to attract global investment,calling CPEC a guarantor of development, employment, and prosperity for theregion.
If realized, the proposed expansion could transform CPEC from a bilateralinitiative into a multi-nation economic corridor, boosting Pakistan’sstrategic position while reshaping regional connectivity.