Pakistan vows deeper Belt and Road ties at HK summit

Pakistan's Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, reiterated the nation's dedication to the Belt and Road Initiative on Thursday. At the Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, Khan highlighted how the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor had propelled Pakistan into a prominent regional connectivity hub, linking landlocked Central Asia and western China to warm-water ports.

He emphasized that deeper collaborations in energy, infrastructure, and industrialization within the corridor were transforming Pakistan's economic landscape, describing the initiative as a global community with a shared future. Khan stated that the Belt and Road Initiative has spurred nations to accelerate development, unlock economic opportunities, and deepen cultural ties over the past decade.

He noted that regional cooperation has evolved from transport routes to integrated value chains, positioning Pakistan as a link between West, Central, and East Asia. Khan cited the Trans-Afghan Railway Initiative and enhanced rail and road linkages with China as steps toward making Pakistan the shortest trade route with Central Asia while opening up markets for the 1.5 billion people in African states.

Pakistan's economic strategy, according to Khan, hinges on export-led growth, industrial modernization, and deeper integration into global supply chains. The nation's vast agricultural potential, mineral wealth, and a youthful population were identified as key areas for Belt and Road Initiative partnerships. Khan also extended an invitation for Chief Executive John Lee to visit Pakistan, praising his leadership and Hong Kong's scholarship initiative for Belt and Road partner students.

He stressed the importance of building on the BRI's green agenda, seeking deeper cooperation on climate adaptation and sustainable growth with partners like Hong Kong. Khan emphasized that the shared future rests on people-to-people ties.