PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Secretary for Industries, Commerce and Technical Education, Masood Ahmad, said afternoon that the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will bring about a technological transformation that would reduce production costs and open new avenues for Pakistan to earn valuable foreign exchange through exports to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Speaking during his visit to the China Window, a Chinese cultural center established in Peshawar, the provincial secretary underscored that connectivity projects, including the proposed Kohat-to-Afghanistan cargo train line, are under active review and could serve as a game-changer for regional trade and economic integration.
Masood Ahmad toured various galleries at the China Window, signed the “Friendship Wall,” and recorded his impressions in the guestbook, describing the Pakistan-China friendship as “everlasting.”
He emphasized that the provincial government is committed to establishing industries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through a one-window operation, with legislation already in progress to facilitate investors.
Referring to the recent visit of China’s Foreign Minister to Pakistan, he said it is expected that law and order in the province will improve, encouraging Chinese and international investors to explore business opportunities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “The CPEC project is vital for Pakistan’s economy, and the Rashakai Special Economic Zone will not only attract industries but also generate thousands of jobs,” he remarked.
On the proposed railway project linking Kohat with Afghanistan and Central Asia, he noted: “If operationalized, this train link will significantly boost Pakistan’s economy by facilitating smoother and faster trade routes.”
The secretary lauded the role of China Window in promoting people-to-people contacts and cultural diplomacy, calling it a state-of-the-art center that strengthens bilateral understanding.
He reminded industrialists to uphold integrity in trade practices, stressing that Pakistan-China cooperation is entering a new era that will transform the provincial economy and uplift livelihoods across the region. –Agencies
