Premier says Pakistan is a unique tri-junction of economic corridors linking China, Central Asia, and the Middle East
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif poses for a group photo with world leaders during the Regional Transport Ministers’ Conference held in Islamabad on Friday, October 24, 2025. Photo: APP
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan stands as a “unique tri-junction” of economic corridors linking China, Central Asia and the broader Middle East, serving as a vital connector of markets and people while opening new avenues for trade and energy cooperation.
Addressing the concluding session of the two-day Regional Transport Ministers Conference — themed “Regional Connectivity: Opportunities for the Region” — the premier underscored Pakistan’s central geographic and economic role in regional integration.
The event, hosted by the Ministry of Communications, brought together transport ministers and delegates from 20 countries, along with representatives of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), and the International Road Transport Union (IRTU).
“This would strengthen our common stake in peace and reinforce efforts for development in the region,” Shehbaz said. “Let us together sow the seeds of cooperation so that we may harvest the fruits of development and prosperity for our people, our region, and beyond.”
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Highlighting the significance of CPEC and other transnational rail and road initiatives, the PM said these connectivity projects would help synergise regional economies and usher in a new era of enhanced trade, economic, and energy cooperation.
“For centuries, the present-day Pakistan has thrived on connectivity — from the ancient Silk Road to today’s Belt and Road Initiative,” he noted. “Shifting geopolitical dynamics and the growing dominance of economic priorities have breathed new life into this ancient corridor, transforming it from a relic of the past into a strategic necessity for our future.”
PM Shehbaz said Pakistan’s geography, linking the warm waters of the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf, placed it at the confluence of China, the Eurasian land bridge, and the Middle East. He said the country’s long coastline made Gwadar and Karachi ports key transit points on the maritime Silk Road.
Lauding the vision of his brother and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the premier said the signing of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor had been a transformative step that connected markets across China, Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East.
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He said, Pakistan is now entering an “exciting” new phase of CPEC 2.0 focused on promoting business-to-business partnerships, attracting Chinese investment, and deepening mutual prosperity.
In addition, the prime minister mentioned several ongoing rail projects, including the Trans-Afghan Railway and the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul corridor, as well as plans to enhance air connectivity with Central Asian states under frameworks such as the TIR Convention.
Calling connectivity “not just about roads and railways,” he said, Pakistan was also investing in digital infrastructure to prepare for the fourth industrial revolution. “We may not have black gold, but our youth — 60% of whom are between 15 and 30 years of age — are our greatest asset,” he remarked.
In his closing remarks, Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan said the participants had reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen connectivity as a path to shared prosperity. He said the conference emphasised creating new linkages, developing innovative financing mechanisms, and fostering partnerships with international financial institutions.
The participants, he added, also called for liberal visa schemes, improved road safety measures, and stronger collaboration to achieve sustainable regional growth.
