Pakistan and China Advance Talks on Expanding CPEC to Central Asia

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In a strategic push to boost regional connectivity and economic integration, Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their commitment to the ongoing China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with discussions aimed at expanding its reach into Central Asia. CPEC, a flagship component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is designed to create a network of infrastructure projects linking Asia, Africa and Europe through land and maritime routes. The talks mark a renewed momentum in Pakistan’s infrastructure diplomacy at a time when economic cooperation is critical for stability in the region.

Planning Minister of Pakistan Ahsan Iqbal stressed the importance of enhancing regional linkages through CPEC during a recent meeting with Chinese officials. He stated that connecting landlocked Central Asian Republics with Pakistan’s Gwadar Port via CPEC would create new avenues for trade, foster regional stability and deepen economic interdependence. “A stable and prosperous region cannot exist without integration and shared development goals,” Iqbal noted, calling on all stakeholders to accelerate the pace of CPEC projects that have faced delays in recent years.

China has invested heavily in CPEC since its launch in 2015, pledging over $60 billion in energy and infrastructure development across Pakistan. While the initiative has seen progress in sectors like power generation and road construction, recent years have brought concerns over security, debt sustainability and bureaucratic bottlenecks. Despite these challenges, the push to extend CPEC into Central Asia represents a strategic opportunity for Pakistan to reassert its role as a trade gateway and logistics hub for the broader region.

The discussion also serves as a timely reminder that regional partnerships can offer a viable path forward for nations seeking economic recovery and geopolitical relevance. With Afghanistan’s future uncertain and Western interest in Central Asia waning, CPEC’s potential expansion could offer a much-needed boost to regional economies. For Pakistan, this is a chance to pivot toward constructive development rather than dependency or aid-driven policy. The success of this vision will ultimately depend not just on grand announcements but on the ability of both Islamabad and Beijing to execute tangible progress on the ground. The road to Central Asia runs through Pakistan, and what it carries may shape the future of the region.