Pakistan is seeking to expand the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into pharmaceuticals and biotechnology skills development, the information ministry said on Wednesday, as Islamabad eyes deepening cooperation with Beijing to ensure sustainable economic growth and development.
CPEC 2.0: From Infrastructure to Industrialization
China is a strategic ally and a major investor in Pakistan. The CPEC is a flagship initiative of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative launched in 2013 to develop infrastructure and connectivity between Pakistan’s southwestern deep-sea Gwadar Port and China’s Xinjiang region. Pakistan officials say the corridor’s second phase, branded “CPEC 2.0,” seeks to move the partnership beyond infrastructure into industrial development, agriculture, IT and special economic zones.
Pakistan’s embassy in Beijing hosted a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Symposium on Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare and Biotechnology on Thursday, the information ministry said.
B2B Investment Conference Scheduled in Karachi
“The symposium served as a preparatory platform for the Pakistan–China B2B Investment Conference on Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare and Biotechnology, which is scheduled to be held in Karachi from July 17-19,” the ministry said.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi said Pakistan will seek to integrate Chinese TVET institutions into the B2B Investment Conference and organize a dedicated TVET partnership forum on the sidelines. This forum will strengthen collaboration between Pakistan and China in vocational education, human resource development and investment facilitation under the second phase of CPEC.
Planning Minister Calls for Joint Training Programs
Addressing the symposium virtually, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal called for joint training programs, university-industry collaboration and Pakistan-China centers of excellence to prepare a workforce for the pharmaceutical, health care and biotechnology sectors. Zhang Junhua, an official at China’s human resources ministry, said Beijing had invited five leading Chinese technical institutions specializing in pharmaceutical and health care education to explore collaboration with Pakistan.
Challenges: Security and Bureaucratic Delays
While Pakistan has committed on several occasions to ensure implementation of CPEC projects, work on the Chinese project has stalled over the years. One of the major reasons is security, as Pakistan-based militants frequently attack Chinese interests in southwestern Balochistan province. Bureaucratic delays over the years have also delayed CPEC initiatives.
