Ayesha Saba

Pakistan and China have agreed to prioritize the development of industrial parks, mining cooperation and “small but beautiful” livelihood projects in the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), under the new China-Pakistan Action Plan (2025–2029).

The plan brief available with Wealth Pakistan states that CPEC, as the flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), will continue to make “profound contributions” to high-quality bilateral cooperation. Both sides have resolved to align CPEC’s Five Corridors — Growth, Livelihoods, Innovation, Green and Openness — with Pakistan’s URAAN Program and its 5Es framework of Exports, E-Pakistan, Environment and climate change, Energy and infrastructure, Equity, Ethics and Empowerment.

According to the document, industrial parks will be established in line with local needs, with special economic zones in Karachi, Islamabad and other locations designated as priority sites. Chinese enterprises are being encouraged to invest in these parks with preferential policies and facilitation measures to accelerate industrialization and boost Pakistan’s export capacity.

Mining has also emerged as a key area of focus, with both governments agreeing to strengthen cooperation through geological surveys, joint resource assessments and the creation of mining industrial parks. Cooperation will extend to oil and gas exploration, with joint studies planned to identify new hydrocarbon zones and priority development targets.

At the same time, the plan emphasizes the need for projects that directly impact communities. Both sides agreed to expand “small and beautiful” livelihood projects covering health, education, agriculture, climate response and disaster prevention. The goal, according to the document, is to enhance the sense of benefit and well-being among the people of both countries.

Officials from both sides noted that this blend of large-scale industrial cooperation with community-oriented initiatives reflects the evolving character of CPEC as it enters its next decade.

Credit: INP-WealthPk