{"id":69112,"date":"2026-10-03T09:42:36","date_gmt":"2026-10-03T09:42:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/?p=69112"},"modified":"2026-10-03T10:14:24","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T10:14:24","slug":"pakistan-is-ready-to-take-over-carec-chairmanship-and-host-26th-ministerial-conference-in-2027","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/pakistan-is-ready-to-take-over-carec-chairmanship-and-host-26th-ministerial-conference-in-2027\/","title":{"rendered":"Pakistan is Ready to Take Over CAREC Chairmanship and Host 26th Ministerial Conference in 2027"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"CAREC Corridors to Connect Central Asia with Global Markets, Says Minister Planning<\/p>\n

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, September 29, 2026: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has called for transforming CAREC transport routes into next-generation economic corridors by integrating infrastructure, logistics, digital connectivity, energy cooperation and climate resilience.<\/p>\n

Participating in a session of t he 25th Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Ministerial Conference in Ulaanbaatar, the Minister said Pakistan viewed CAREC Corridors 5 and 6 as an opportunity to connect Central Asia with the Arabian Sea and generate economic activity along the routes .<\/p>\n

\u201cThe question is no longer simply, \u2018Can a truck travel this route?\u2019 It is, \u2018Can a business use this route reliably, competitively and profitably?\u2019\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the transformation of regional corridors required completion of the transport chain through upgraded CAREC roads, modern border facilities at Torkham and Chaman, stronger rail freight capacity through the proposed ML-1 upgrade, and efficient links to dry ports and seaports.<\/p>\n

He stressed the need to establish logistics and production hubs along strategic locations, saying cold storage, packaging, warehousing and light manufacturing could transform transit traffic into exports, jobs and value for communities along the corridors.<\/p>\n

The Minister also called for building a digital corridor across the CAREC region, noting that Pakistan Single Window provided a foundation for phased digital integration with regional partners. \u201cA consignment\u2019s documents should be checked before it reaches the border,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Highlighting the importance of regional energy cooperation and climate resilience, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal said initiatives such as CASA-1000 demonstrated the potential of cross-border energy connectivity, while new roads, railways and logistics infrastructure must be designed to withstand floods and extreme heat.<\/p>\n

\"\"\u201cThe transformation occurs when a corridor carries more than cargo: it carries investment, technology, energy and opportunity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Responding to a question on regional actions needed to ensure shared benefits, the Minister emphasized coordinated planning of entire corridors, stronger cross-border cooperation and measuring the impact of connectivity on businesses and communities.<\/p>\n

He said CAREC countries should identify priority cross-border projects, prepare them to common standards and coordinate investment and construction schedules, with the Asian Development Bank playing a role in mobilizing financing, including private investment where appropriate.<\/p>\n