Tazeen Akhtar
All political parties in Pakistan including the parties in the government and the parties in opposition express their consensus on CPEC and relations with China as the corner stones of their policies and priorities. They include Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf as well as Jamiat Ulamai Islam.
They unanimously assured their support for CPEC at China-Pakistan Political Parties Forum and the Third Meeting of the CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism held in Islamabad in the presence of Mr. Liu JianChao, Minister for International Department Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
Here it is worth noting that Chinese minister visited Pakistan as follow up of the visit of Pakistan delegation in the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last week to Beijing and other territories in China forging the new phase of bilateral cooperation.
Very interesting situation was seen in the forum of political parties where most of the parties were taking credit of initiating the process that paved the way for the construction of CPEC. It means most of the political parities not only takes the ownership of the flagship project but they are cognizant of their responsibilities to this game changer project as well.
The Meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Minister of Central Committee of the International Department of Communist Party of China (IDCPC) Mr. Liu Jianchao. It was attended by Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and representatives of all major political parties of Pakistan.
Pak-China friendship vital for peace, development of both countries & region: PM
Addressing the JCM, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister appreciated the positive contributions of CPEC to Pakistan’s socioeconomic development, progress and prosperity. Lauding the political consensus on CPEC in the two countries, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister expressed Pakistan’s firm resolve to build upon the achievements of CPEC and for its upgradation in its Phase-II. He added that the presence of senior representatives of all major political parties of Pakistan in the Meeting sent a strong signal of complete political consensus in Pakistan on the importance of Pakistan-China friendship and its salience for regional peace and development.
In his remarks, Minister Liu Jianchao expressed China’s readiness to work with Pakistan to jointly develop five major corridors of growth, better life, innovation, green development, and openness, with a focus on building an upgraded version of CPEC. He underlined the role of political parties in consolidating Pakistan-China relations and to develop broad political consensus in support for CPEC, facilitate bilateral exchanges, and create more platforms for bilateral cooperation. He expressed interest of the Chinese side to strengthen party-to-party exchanges and the readiness of the Communist Party of China to hold the Fourth Meeting of the JCM in 2026.
JUI-Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed gratitude to the Chinese leadership for their unconditional support of the Kashmir cause and reiterated Pakistan’s support on the Taiwan issue.
Minister for Federal Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Munazza Hassan called for an enhanced focus on education, information technology and artificial intelligence to harness the youth’s potential.
Syed Ali Zafar called for accelerating CPEC projects while Chairman of Pakistan-China Institute Mushahid Hussain Sayed reiterated the political parties’ commitment to take the CPEC-II forward.
National Party’s Senator Jan Muhammad called for technical training of Balochistan’s youth, while Afrasiab Khattak cautioned against the designs of the hegemonic forces in the region trying to disrupt peace.
The party leaders underscored the enduring strength of the Pakistan-China relationship and the pivotal role of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). They expressed profound gratitude to the Chinese leadership for their steadfast support in fostering bilateral cooperation and advancing the CPEC initiative. They emphasized the unique nature of the meeting, which demonstrated national consensus on Pakistan-China relations and CPEC, transcending domestic political divisions.
Minister Planning , Ahsan Iqbal appreciated the Chinese leadership for hosting the Prime Minister of Pakistan during his recent visit. The visit resulted in a strong consensus on bilateral matters, with both sides agreeing to enhance the strategic partnership and economic cooperation.
Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the importance of Pakistan-China cooperation under CPEC amidst global uncertainties. He stressed that CPEC serves as a beacon of stability, regional integration, and economic interdependence.
The development of Gwadar Port, a crucial component of CPEC, was noted for its strategic significance, providing China direct access to the Arabian Sea and promising economic revitalization for Pakistan.
Both sides have agreed to expedite initiatives for modernizing Pakistan’s agricultural sector with advanced technologies. Cooperation will also extend to B2B links, industrial cooperation, science and technology, artificial intelligence, and exploration of offshore oil and gas resources.
The Government of Pakistan is committed to ensuring the security of Chinese personnel working in Pakistan. Measures have been implemented to provide foolproof security, and continuous updates are shared with the Chinese Embassy regarding these actions.
Ahsan Iqbal recounted the recent launch of Pakistan’s satellite through a Chinese rocket, symbolizing the soaring heights of Pakistan-China friendship.
Ahsen Iqbal concluded by expressing sincere gratitude to the Chinese leadership for their continuous support and unwavering commitment to the high development of CPEC. This event marks a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between Pakistan and China, highlighting the shared vision and mutual commitment to regional prosperity and development.
Representatives from the political parties who spoke at the event included Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal from the PML(N); Former Foreign Minister and MNA, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar from PPPP; Maulana Fazal Ur Rehman from JUI(F); Minister of Federal Education & Professional Training, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui from MQM; Senator Jan Muhammad Buledi from the National Party; MNA Khalid Hussain Magsi from BAP; Ms. Munaza Hassan from IPP; Senator Syed Ali Zafar from PTI; Engineer Ihsanullah from ANP; Mr. Mushahid Hussain Syed from PML(N); Mr. Afrasiab Khan Khattak from NDM; and Mr. Asif Luqman Qazi from JI.
In their remarks, the leaders and representatives of the political parties of Pakistan reaffirmed support for Pakistan-China relations and CPEC as an emblem of Pakistan-China friendship and a shining example of successful international cooperation. They noted that the Pakistan-China friendship, which has withstood the test of time, enjoyed the full support and confidence of the people of Pakistan across generations and political affiliations. They emphasized the vital role of the political parties of Pakistan and China in strengthening Pakistan-China relations and the importance of enhanced exchanges and interactions between parliamentarians and political parties of the two countries.
Finally, regardless of political changes, Pakistan remains committed to its relationship with China. Over the past decade, substantial progress has been made across various CPEC projects, reaffirming this steadfast dedication.
CPEC is envisioned as part of a broader vision for regional prosperity, fostering economic cooperation with neighboring countries. Phase II of CPEC aims to enhance Pakistan’s manufacturing capacity through industrial cooperation, attracting Chinese investment, and relocating industrial units to Special Economic Zones.
The most important to note was the address of Mr. Liu JianChao to the ruling and opposition parties’ leaders. He pointed out political stability and security as key to move forward toward development and prosperity.
Chinese Minister International Development & COAS Pakistan Discuss Progress on CPEC
