Overview

• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned ministries to avoid delays and called CPEC 2.0 Pakistan’s last opportunity to harness Chinese expertise and investment.
• Ahsan Iqbal departed for Beijing to attend the 14th Joint Coordination Committee session on Sept. 26 to finalize an implementation strategy for the 2025–29 action plan.
• Phase‑II priorities outlined by officials include agriculture, Special Economic Zones, mining and minerals, and upgrades to the Karakoram Highway.
• China’s ambassador Jiang Zaidong publicly reaffirmed readiness to deepen the partnership and expand cooperation across sectors at a National Day reception in Islamabad.
• Recent media analyses highlight risks to delivery, citing persistent security threats, fiscal pressures, and reports that China withdrew from ML‑1 rail financing, with Pakistan seeking alternative funding for the Karachi–Rohri segment.