Pakistan and China have agreed to deepen cooperation in space technology, modern railways, and advanced material sciences as part of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Gwadar Pro reported on Friday quoting the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives.

Pakistani engineers are working with Hunan Satellite Space Technology to co-develop satellites, marking a shift in CPEC from roads and energy to advanced technologies. Federal Minister for PD&SI Ahsan Iqbal said this partnership would boost Pakistan’s scientific capacity and reflects CPEC’s move into an innovation-driven phase.

During a visit to CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., Iqbal invited the company to competitively join the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project, stressing that modernization through public-private partnership would cut costs, improve efficiency, and enhance regional connectivity.

He also led a delegation to Zhuzhou Times New Material Technology Co., where participants learned about China’s advances in material sciences. Iqbal emphasized that industrial modernization and new technologies are vital for Pakistan’s competitiveness under CPEC Phase II.

Officials said expanded cooperation in space, railways, and materials will accelerate Pakistan’s economic modernization and highlight CPEC’s transition from infrastructure to innovation.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China