Minister Ahsan Iqbal Reviews Progress on CPEC Action Plan 2025‑29
Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal highlighted that CPEC Phase‑I attracted $25 bn of Chinese investment, added 8,000 MW to the grid and eased the energy crisis, and outlined Phase‑II priorities that target further infrastructure, power and industrial projects.
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Desk Analysis
How This Affects the Exchange
Sector Effect
Positive · Buy bias
CPEC Phase‑II will boost Power, Cement, Steel, Transport and Banking sectors, creating a Buy bias on related tickers.
Sectors & Direction
Desk read
Desk call: Buy bias · Positively affected
- BanksPositively affected
- PowerPositively affected
- CementPositively affected
- SteelPositively affected
- TransportPositively affected
Companies
Companies Mentioned
- ISL· Positively affected · Buy bias
Mentions in This Briefing
Sectors: Banks, Power, Cement, Steel, Transport — Positive · Buy bias. PSX tickers: ISL. CPEC Phase‑II will boost Power, Cement, Steel, Transport and Banking sectors, creating a Buy bias on related tickers.
Full Story
Open on Business Recorder## Overview
Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal briefed on the implementation status of the China‑Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Action Plan for the 2025‑29 period. He reiterated that Phase‑I of CPEC delivered roughly USD 25 billion in Chinese direct investment, contributed nearly 8,000 MW of new electricity generation capacity, and played a pivotal role in resolving Pakistan’s chronic energy shortage.
## Phase‑I Achievements
- Investment: Approximately $25 bn of Chinese capital was mobilised across transport, energy, and industrial projects. - Power Generation: New capacity of about 8,000 MW was commissioned, covering thermal, hydro and renewable plants, which markedly improved the country’s load‑shedding situation. - Economic Impact: The influx of funds and infrastructure development helped stabilise the foreign exchange market and bolstered investor confidence.
## Phase‑II Priorities
Minister Iqbal outlined that Phase‑II will focus on: - Expanding the energy mix with additional renewable and gas‑based projects to further secure supply. - Upgrading transport corridors including road, rail and port facilities to enhance trade logistics. - Developing industrial zones for textiles, automotive, and agro‑based manufacturing, aiming to boost exports and create jobs. - Strengthening financial linkages by encouraging local banks to participate in project financing and by facilitating foreign direct investment.
## Implications for the PSX
The continuation and scaling of CPEC projects are expected to benefit sectors that are directly linked to infrastructure and energy development. Companies operating in power generation, cement, steel, transport, and banking are likely to see increased order books, higher revenue streams, and improved credit fundamentals as project financing and execution accelerate.
## Outlook
With the government’s commitment to fast‑track Phase‑II and the ongoing partnership with Chinese entities, the momentum generated by CPEC is set to sustain a positive trajectory for Pakistan’s macro‑economic stability and the performance of related listed companies on the Pakistan Stock Exchange.