Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaarul Haq Kakar, on October 16, embarked on a four-day visit to Beijing, during which, both China and Pakistan are expected to finalize substantial agreements related to the expansion and enhancement of motorways and highways.
PM Kakar’s visit is strategically timed to coincide with the ‘Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.’
“The prime minister will attend the opening ceremony of the BRF and address the high-level forum entitled ’Connectivity in an Open Global Economy,” the PM office said in a post on X, previously Twitter, on Saturday.
The international event is scheduled to take place in Beijing from October 17 to 18 and marks the 10th anniversary of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Details of the Agreements
The following pivotal agreements will be inked as part of the extensive China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
1. Highway Research & Training Centre: Pakistan is set to sign a significant Memorandum of Understanding with China to establish a modern Highway Research & Training Centre (HRTC). The HRTC is a subsidiary of the National Highway Authority and engages in research encompassing various aspects of highway engineering, including pavements, bridges, tunneling, environmental engineering, hydraulics, and technical training. A joint research program is envisioned under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) from 2023 to 2027 to promote collaboration and innovation in highway engineering. The HRTC Research Institute, to be constructed on 530 acres, will receive a Chinese grant of $52 million for infrastructure, including a test track and laboratory equipment, with a focus on long-term pavement performance and various research projects.
2. Karakorum Highway Upgrade: Prime Minister Kakar will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to upgrade the Karakorum Highway (KKH) in multiple phases. The project includes upgrading the KKH from Raikot to Thakot, Raikot to Khunjerab, KKH phase-2 on the E-35 section from Havelian to Thakot, and introducing a motorway section connecting Havelian to Mansehra. The project aims to ensure year-round operational capability and will incorporate tunnels to bypass the Bhasha Dam.
3. Zhob Motorway: The Prime Minister will engage in discussions regarding the construction of a motorway from Dera Ismail Khan to Zhob. Additionally, discussions on the development of Gwadar Port will feature prominently during the meetings in Beijing. These agreements and upgrades reflect the commitment to enhancing infrastructure and connectivity between China and Pakistan.
Belt and Road Initiative
China is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its multi-trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative with the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing.
The State Council Information Office released a white paper announcing that the BRI will become “more open” and generate new opportunities for global cooperation and growth. This initiative, launched in 2013, saw China invest a trillion dollars in projects worldwide to foster international economic cooperation.
The BRF gathered representatives from 130 nations and 30 international organizations for high-level forums on connectivity, green development, and the digital economy.
The event unfolds as Western nations, led by the U.S., attempt to counter China’s increasing global influence, raising concerns about transparency in BRI infrastructure deals and alleged debt traps for participant countries.
The U.S. and India introduced the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as an alternative to BRI. However, IMEC’s scale is much smaller, excluding several key regions.
BRI, proposed by President Xi Jinping, focuses on connectivity through a network of ports, railways, airports, and transportation links spanning across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
China has signed agreements with over 150 countries, resulting in 3,000 cooperation projects and nearly $1 trillion in investment, with the potential to lift millions out of poverty.
The initiative aims to address issues related to economic globalization and wealth inequality. It supplements existing mechanisms by promoting an open global economy and constructing an equitable and transparent international trade and investment system.
Pakistan stands to benefit from the forum, addressing economic challenges and attracting Chinese companies through projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
50 Projects worth $25 billion completed under CPEC in ten years
Pakistan’s Ambassador in Beijing, Moinul Haque, in a recent interview with Belt and Road Television, revealed that over the past decade, more than 50 projects, with a cumulative value of $25 billion, have been successfully completed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
These accomplishments significantly transformed Pakistan’s economic landscape and played a pivotal role in the nation’s social and economic development.
Ambassador Haque further highlighted the significance of the Belt and Road Forum, describing it as a crucial platform for member states to chart a path for the future based on the substantial achievements of the past.
