Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal says Pakistan and China will jointly elevate China Pakistan Economic Corridor into a beacon of high-quality development.

He said this while inaugurating the opening ceremony of high level workshop under the theme of "Building an upgraded Version of CPEC" in Beijing, China today.

He said that over the past decade, CPEC has proven to be a game-changer for Pakistan.

Sharing details of projects in energy sector, he said that through 17 completed projects, 8,904 MW of power has been added to the national grid, alleviating energy shortages and driving industrial growth.

Regarding the infrastructure projects, he said over 888 kilometers of motorways and highways have been completed, with another 853 kilometers under construction, bridging communities and fostering economic integration.

He said that the jewel of CPEC, Gwadar, is evolving into a smart port city and a hub of regional connectivity, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for trade and development in future.

Highlighting digital connectivity, he said that the fiber optic cable laid under CPEC is Pakistan's new information highway, enabling digital transformation, bridging the connectivity gap, and positioning Pakistan to leverage the opportunities of the digital age.

Ahsan Iqbal pointed out that CPEC projects have also created more than 200,000 jobs, directly benefiting local communities and empowering thousands of households across Pakistan.

He said, as we enter the second decade of CPEC, our vision expands to align with emerging global and regional priorities.

He said that Pakistan is committed to working closely with China to expand our cooperation into emerging areas such as technology, green development, regional connectivity, and economic resilience.