Pakistan to assume CAREC chairmanship in 2027, host 26th Ministerial Conference

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal claimed that Pakistan would assume the presidency of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program in 2027 and host the 26th CAREC Ministerial Conference,

Speaking at the 25th CAREC Ministerial Conference in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Iqbal urged for CAREC transport routes to be turned into next-generation economic corridors by integrating infrastructure, logistics, digital connection, energy cooperation and climate resilience.

The 25th ministerial conference is taking place in Ulaanbaatar from September 29 to October 2.

“CAREC Corridors 5 and 6 offer Pakistan an opportunity to link Central Asian markets to the Arabian Sea and boost more economic activity along the routes,” Iqbal remarked.

“Rather than just allowing trucks to go through the corridors, the emphasis should be on allowing businesses to use the corridors reliably, competitively and profitably,” he said.

This will entail upgrading the CAREC highways, modernizing border facilities at Torkham and Chaman, enhancing rail freight capacity with the proposed ML-1 expansion and improving the connectivity with dry ports and seaports, added the minister.

Iqbal highlighted the need for a digital corridor across the CAREC region and said Pakistan’s Single Window system could be a basis for incremental digital integration with regional partners.