Karachi: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Khalil Hashmi, said Pakistan and China are expanding cooperation across 21 priority sectors with investments exceeding US$1.5 billion, underscoring the growing depth of the strategic economic partnership between the two countries.
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He 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, aimed at strengthening business-to-business connectivity and unlocking new avenues of economic cooperation.
Ambassador Khalil Hashmi was speaking at a high-level brown bag luncheon interaction organized by Director General Foreign Affairs Liaison Office Karachi, Muhammad Irfan Soomro, 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 Provincial Advisor for Investment Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar and Chinese Consul General 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 CPEC.
In his opening remarks, DG 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 is 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 noting that, as a follow-up to the successful visit of the President of Pakistan, H.E. Asif Ali Zardari, to China, there is a renewed focus on strengthening bilateral economic relations, 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 its 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.
Ambassador Khalil Hashmi, in his remarks, said Chinese investment in Pakistan continues to expand 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 significant demand for Pakistani food products and agricultural goods in Chinese markets and said the Government of Pakistan was making focused efforts to enhance exports to China.
Describing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a transformational project, the Ambassador said it had already 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. He acknowledged the existence of challenges but 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 Pakistan. He stressed that Pakistan would not allow hostile elements or terrorists to undermine bilateral cooperation or disrupt development initiatives.
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 DG 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. He added that China considers Pakistan’s development and prosperity as closely linked to its own progress.
Concluding the interaction, DG FALO Karachi Muhammad Irfan Soomro said that 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 yield 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, adding that “Pakistan-China friendship forever” remains a living reality anchored in mutual trust, strategic cooperation, and shared destiny.
