Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has reaffirmed commitment to the second phase of CPEC, saying it will directly help Pakistan achieve development targets.

He was addressing a seminar on China-Pakistan Joint Contributions to the Global Governance Initiative and the CPEC organized by Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad.

Ahsan Iqbal said the second phase of CPEC is a comprehensive roadmap encompassing five corridors including Corridor of Growth, Corridor of Livelihoods, Corridor of Innovation, Green Corridor and Open Corridor.

He emphasized that the Open Corridor is aimed at including other countries in the CPEC and make it a project of regional development. He said the second phase of CPEC has been prepared keeping in view the requirements of Pakistan.

Highlighting the enduring Pakistan-China partnership, Ahsan Iqbal said the bilateral relationship has grown stronger with each passing year. He noted that this friendship is set to reach new heights this year, as the first Pakistani astronaut is to travel to space with China's support.

Addressing the seminar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan and China are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. He said the two countries share an unbreakable bond and, as iron brothers, enjoy a unique and enduring relationship.

The Information Minister said the recent visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to China took this friendship to new heights. He said both the countries not only share a boundary but also mountains, rivers and a bond that is to be cherished for all times to come.

Attaullah Tarar also reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to the Global Governance Initiative under the visionary leadership of President Xi Jinping. He said the initiative has, within a short period, begun delivering remarkable results by enhancing the representation of the Global South and improving the lives and livelihoods across the Global South.

The Information Minister highlighted that the CPEC has brought the peoples of Pakistan and China closer together over the past years. He emphasized that cultural and people to people exchanges and media cooperation can go a long way in further cementing this partnership.

Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan firmly believes in further strengthening this friendship, advancing the CPEC forward and promoting the Global Governance Initiative.