Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Monday said Pakistan was strengthening cooperation with China in information technology, agriculture and climate resilience, equipping its youth with modern skills to support sustainable economic growth.
Addressing a review meeting marking one year of implementation of the 2025-2029 Action Plan agreed during Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China in August 2025, the minister said the government was working closely with China to enhance Pakistan’s capacity in the IT sector and create greater opportunities for the country’s young population.
He said the youth were Pakistan’s most valuable asset and the government would ensure their training in modern and market-oriented skills to enable them to compete effectively in the global economy.
Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan was also launching Green Pakistan initiatives with Chinese cooperation, particularly in view of the country’s vulnerability to climate change.
‘Pakistan is among the countries most severely affected by climate change,’ he said, stressing the need for enhanced cooperation and concrete measures to address environmental challenges.
The minister said around 1,000 Pakistani students had so far been sent to China for training in modern agricultural techniques.
He expressed gratitude to China for its cooperation in promoting modern research and innovation in the agriculture sector, saying the partnership would help improve productivity and strengthen food security.
Referring to the government’s economic agenda, Ahsan Iqbal said the Uraan Pakistan programme was proving highly beneficial for the national economy and providing a comprehensive framework for sustainable development and growth.
He stressed that increasing exports was essential for achieving long-term economic stability, adding that Pakistan needed to enhance its productive capacity and competitiveness in international markets.
The minister said concerted efforts were also being made to promote ‘Made in Pakistan’ products and establish the brand at the global level.
He said the government would continue to leverage cooperation with China under the 2025-2029 Action Plan to accelerate development, strengthen human capital, promote innovation and create new avenues for sustainable economic growth.
The review meeting examined progress on various initiatives undertaken under the Action Plan during the first year of implementation and discussed measures to further accelerate cooperation in priority sectors.
