Islamabad (Sept 5, 2025) — Pakistan has signed $8.5 billion worth of new investment agreements with China, marking a major milestone in bilateral economic cooperation and the expansion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
According to state media, the accords were finalized during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Beijing for the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit. The agreements include $7 billion in memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and $1.5 billion in joint ventures across multiple sectors, including:
- Agriculture
- Renewable energy
- Electric vehicles (EVs)
- Health and steel industries
- Infrastructure development
Next Phase of CPEC
At the summit, Prime Minister Sharif unveiled the next phase of CPEC, pledging to cut bureaucratic hurdles and fast-track project implementation. He assured Chinese investors of enhanced security measures for thousands of Chinese nationals working in Pakistan on BRI-linked projects.
CPEC aims to connect China’s Xinjiang region with Pakistan’s Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea, strengthening trade routes under President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Security Concerns
China has repeatedly called for stronger protection of its workers in Pakistan, as CPEC projects have been targeted by Baloch separatists and Pakistani Taliban militants. Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding Chinese personnel and assets.
A New Era of Economic Cooperation
The fresh wave of agreements reflects deepening Pak-China ties and is expected to provide a significant boost to Pakistan’s economy, particularly in energy, infrastructure, and industrial modernization.
