Tianjin: Chinese Minister for Transport, Li Xuey, expressed interest in several major infrastructure projects during an informal meeting with Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, in Tianjin.
The discussion, held on the sidelines of the 12th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Transport Ministers’ Conference, focused on investments in the construction of key roadways such as the M6 and M9 motorways, as well as the Mansehra, Naran, and Jhal Kund highways. Additionally, China showed strong interest in upgrading the Karakoram Highway and enhancing connectivity through the Gwadar Port and airport.
Minister Khan welcomed China’s cooperation and emphasized Pakistan’s focus on improving its transportation networks, enhancing trade corridors, and prioritizing motorway development. He extended a formal invitation to Minister Li for a visit to Pakistan, highlighting the country’s openness to foreign investment in infrastructure, particularly through “B2B” and “G2G” cooperation models for road construction.
Minister Li, in turn, praised Pakistan’s active participation in the SCO and acknowledged the long-standing bilateral relations between the two nations. He noted that working in Pakistan holds significant importance for Chinese experts and engineers.
The meeting also addressed upcoming projects, including the completion of the Bhasha Dam by 2029, as well as discussions about further collaboration on trade corridors between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. Both ministers also touched upon the proposed visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister to China in August 2025.
In addition to Pakistan, the SCO Transport Ministers’ Conference saw participation from India, Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and China, with the formal ministerial session and declaration scheduled for July 2.
