Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal Calls for Accelerated Economic Growth and CPEC Phase‑II Implementation
Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal urged faster execution of CPEC Phase‑II, targeting $100 billion in exports by 2035 and emphasizing private‑sector participation across industrial, agricultural and technology corridors.
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Open on ProPakistani## Minister’s Statement
Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal told a meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday that Pakistan’s economy must be “heated up” to meet future challenges. He highlighted the need for exports to reach $100 billion by 2035, describing the target as a national emergency.
## Review of CPEC Action Plan 2025‑2029
The gathering reviewed the first year of the CPEC Action Plan 2025‑2029. Iqbal noted that Phase‑I of the China‑Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) attracted roughly $25 billion of Chinese investment and added nearly 8,000 MW of generation capacity to the national grid.
## Outlook for CPEC Phase‑II
Phase‑II will expand on Phase‑I by focusing on: - Business‑to‑business cooperation and industrial development; - Agricultural modernization, including a program to send 1,000 Pakistani agricultural experts to China for training on modern seeds, mechanisation and water‑efficient practices; - Minerals, human capital and technology development; - Green Economy initiatives aimed at climate resilience, water and food security.
These priorities align with the five pillars of the URAAN Pakistan framework – Growth, Livelihood, Innovation, Green Economy and Openness.
## Corridors of Focus
- Growth Corridor: aims to boost industrial and agricultural output to lift export volumes. - Livelihood Corridor: targets social development in less‑developed regions. - Innovation Corridor: seeks to expand IT capabilities and nurture modern tech skills among youth. - Green Economy Corridor: concentrates on climate‑resilient agriculture and water management.
## Call for Private‑Sector Leadership
Iqbal stressed that the private sector must lead the implementation of Phase‑II projects, while the government should create an enabling environment for investment and partnerships. He urged ministries to ensure timely execution of the action plan.
## Outlook
The minister’s remarks underline the government’s commitment to leveraging CPEC for broader economic diversification and export growth, with a particular emphasis on technology, agriculture and industrial capacity building.
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