At the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation Advisory Council meeting held on May 15, 2025, in Ningbo, China, former Pakistani Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar praised the cooperation between China and Pakistan under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), describing it as “extremely successful.” Kakar emphasized that Pakistan has greatly benefited from its friendship with China, both strategically and economically. He noted that there are valuable lessons to be learned from China’s modernization process, especially the importance of focusing on one key concept: planning. He also highlighted the growing role of government-to-government (G2G) and business-to-business (B2B) communication.
Kakar stated that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has entered a new phase, with priorities including attracting Chinese investment and developing Pakistan’s manufacturing sector. He pointed out that Pakistan has adequate energy resources, port infrastructure, and human capital to support industrial development. With China’s support in terms of technology and capital, he believes Pakistan can establish a regional production ecosystem that serves nearby markets. Referring to Pakistan’s new mineral policy, Kakar expressed openness to joint ventures with Chinese companies in areas such as copper processing and lithium battery production. He also noted that the BRI advisory mechanism serves as a valuable platform to help the international community better understand the true essence of the initiative and to tell China’s story to the world—while also bringing the world’s stories to China.