Pakistan, China expanding cooperation with over US$ 1.5 billion investments: Ambassador Hashmi

KARACHI, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th May, 2026) Pakistan's Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, Khalil Hashmi, said Pakistan and China were expanding cooperation across 21 priority sectors with investments exceeding US$ 1.5 billion, reflecting the growing strength of the strategic economic partnership between the two countries.

He also expressed his commitment to increasing the exchange of delegations between Pakistan and China, including businessmen, industrialists, technology experts, agricultural stakeholders, and representatives of emerging sectors to strengthen business-to-business connectivity and unlock new avenues of economic cooperation.

Ambassador Khalil Hashmi was speaking at a high-level brown bag luncheon interaction organized by Muhammad Irfan Soomro, Director General of the Foreign Affairs Liaison Office (FALO) Karachi, at the State Guest House Karachi. The event brought together leading businessmen, exporters, industrialists, investors, technology leaders, logistics experts, fisheries stakeholders, and representatives from multiple sectors for an interactive dialogue on the future of Pakistan-China economic cooperation.

Among those present were Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh on Investment, Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar and the Consul General of China in Karachi, Yang Yundong. The event also featured an extensive question-and-answer session focusing on trade, investment, industrial collaboration, technology transfer, agriculture modernization, logistics, and the future trajectory of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Addressing the participants, Ambassador Khalil Hashmi said Chinese investment in Pakistan continued to grow in sectors including defense production, information technology, agriculture, education, medical equipment, infrastructure development, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. He noted that joint ventures between Pakistani and Chinese companies were also increasing steadily.

He highlighted the growing demand for Pakistani food products and agricultural goods in Chinese markets and said the Government of Pakistan was making focused efforts to further enhance exports to China.

Describing China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a transformational project, the ambassador said it had laid the foundations for prosperity, regional connectivity, and economic growth, while future phases would create greater opportunities in industrialization, agriculture, technology, logistics, and human capital development.

While acknowledging existing challenges, he emphasized that Pakistan would continue moving forward on the path of economic progress and strategic cooperation.

Responding to a question regarding security, Ambassador Khalil Hashmi said the Government of Pakistan was fully committed to ensuring foolproof security for Chinese engineers, technical experts, and personnel working in the country. He stressed that Pakistan would not allow hostile elements or terrorists to undermine bilateral cooperation or disrupt development initiatives.

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Earlier, in his opening remarks, Director General FALO Karachi, Muhammad Irfan Soomro, described the interaction as a strategic conversation about Pakistan’s economic future and Karachi’s growing role as a bridge between Pakistan and China.

He said that in today’s world, influence was increasingly shaped by innovation, connectivity, supply chains, technology, and economic strength, making economic diplomacy the new frontline of global competition.

Referring to China’s extraordinary development journey and the renewed focus on strengthening bilateral economic relations following the successful visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to China, he said Pakistan must learn from China’s success in industrialization, export competitiveness, technological innovation, smart infrastructure, and agricultural modernization.

He emphasized that Pakistan must transform the current “Pakistan Moment” into long-term momentum and milestones by deepening business-to-business cooperation, strengthening trade and investment linkages, and building a more competitive and innovation-driven economy.

Provincial Advisor for Investment, Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, assured participants that investors in Karachi and across Sindh would receive full facilitation and security support. He said Sindh offered a highly favorable environment for investment and reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to supporting domestic and foreign investors.

Chinese Consul General, Yang Yundong praised Director General FALO Karachi, Muhammad Irfan Soomro and his team for organizing the interaction and termed the event an important platform for strengthening economic and people-to-people ties.

He described Pakistan and China as “iron brothers” whose friendship had withstood the test of time over the past 75 years, adding that China considered Pakistan’s development and prosperity closely linked to its own progress.

Concluding the interaction, Director General FALO Karachi, Muhammad Irfan Soomro said moments alone in diplomacy are not enough and must be transformed into momentum through sustained engagement between ambassadors, business leaders, investors, innovators, and policymakers.

He said such strategic interactions would ultimately lead to greater milestones in the form of economic development, stronger trade partnerships, and shared prosperity for the peoples of Pakistan and China.

He reiterated that the future of Pakistan-China relations would be shaped not only by traditional diplomacy, but increasingly through trade, technology, investment, innovation, and deeper economic integration.

He said, “Pakistan-China friendship forever” remained a living reality anchored in mutual trust, strategic cooperation, and shared destiny.