ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday emphasised that cooperation in trade and economic sectors was a “win-win proposition” for all nations, offering “rich dividends” through peace, prosperity, and regional development.
He made these remarks while addressing the Regional Transport Ministers’ Conference in Islamabad, which brought together ministers and senior officials from Türkiye, Sri Lanka, Iran, Maldives, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Kazakhstan.
Highlighting the importance of connectivity, PM Shehbaz said Pakistan’s strategic geographic location linked the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf with the towering Karakoram and Himalayan ranges, passing through the ancient Indus Valley civilization. He said Pakistan’s long coastline made its ports — particularly Gwadar and Karachi crucial transit points on the Maritime Silk Road, offering immense potential for trade and regional integration.
The premier credited former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for his vision behind the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), calling it a transformative experience that connected markets and people across China, Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East. By linking Gwadar Port with China’s Xinjiang province, CPEC opened new routes for trade, energy cooperation, and cultural exchange, he said.
PM Shehbaz further announced that Pakistan was entering the second and very exciting phase of CPEC 2.0, focused on business-to-business (B2B) partnerships and enhanced investment opportunities not only for Chinese enterprises but also for friendly and brotherly countries attending the conference.
Touching on the global digital transformation, he stressed that modern connectivity extended beyond physical infrastructure to include data, innovation, research, and technology. Pakistan is investing in digital infrastructure to prepare for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, he noted, adding that 60 percent of Pakistan’s population is between 15 and 30 years old.
Calling the youth Pakistan’s greatest asset, PM Shehbaz said, we don’t have black gold, but we have our youth our real strength who will drive Pakistan’s progress and prosperity in the years ahead.