Pakistan to Assume CAREC Presidency in 2027
Ahsan Iqbal outlines plans for stronger regional connectivity and trade
Key Developments:
- Pakistan to take over CAREC presidency in 2027
- Ahsan Iqbal calls for modern economic corridors
- Minister stresses digital, energy and climate cooperation
ISLAMABAD — September 30, 2026: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has said Pakistan is committed to assuming the presidency of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program and hosting the 26th CAREC Ministerial Conference in 2027.
Addressing the 25th CAREC Ministerial Conference in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Iqbal said infrastructure, logistics, digital connectivity, energy cooperation and climate resilience need to be integrated to transform regional transport routes into modern economic corridors.
The minister said Pakistan views CAREC corridors 5 and 6 as an opportunity to strengthen connections between Central Asia and the Arabian Sea while supporting trade and economic activity along the routes.
He said the focus should extend beyond the physical movement of goods to the reliability and competitiveness of regional trade routes.
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“The question now is not just ‘Can a truck pass through this route?’ but the real question is ‘can any business use this route in a reliable, competitive and profitable manner?’” Iqbal said.
He called for greater efficiency in rail freight transportation and stronger links between dry ports and seaports. He also proposed developing supply and production centres at strategic locations, supported by cold storage, packaging facilities, warehouses and light industries.
According to the minister, such facilities could help generate exports, employment and economic opportunities for communities located along the corridors rather than limiting the routes to the transit of goods.
Highlighting the importance of regional energy cooperation and climate resilience, Ahsan Iqbal said initiatives such as CASA-1000 demonstrated the potential of cross-border energy connectivity, while new roads, railways and logistics infrastructure must be designed to withstand floods and extreme heat. CREDIT: The Nation.
Iqbal also called for an integrated digital corridor across the CAREC region, saying Pakistan could provide a foundation for phased digital integration with regional partners. He stressed the importance of processing shipment documentation before consignments reach borders to reduce delays.
Regional energy cooperation was another area highlighted by the minister. He referred to projects such as CASA-1000 as examples of the potential for cross-border energy connectivity.
Iqbal also called for new highways, railways and logistics infrastructure to incorporate climate resilience, particularly against risks such as floods and extreme heat.
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“Real change comes when a corridor transfers not only goods but also investment, technology, energy and opportunities,” he said.
The minister said CAREC countries should adopt integrated planning across entire corridors, strengthen cross-border cooperation and assess the impact of connectivity projects on businesses and local communities.
He proposed that member countries identify priority cross-border projects, develop them according to common standards and improve coordination on investment and construction timelines.
Iqbal said the Asian Development Bank could play a role in mobilising financial resources for such projects, including efforts to attract private investment.
He also highlighted the importance of monitoring border delays, delivery times, local employment, small and medium-sized enterprise participation, and opportunities created for women and young people.
“Regional cooperation is successful when a trader can predict the duration of the journey, a farmer can reach a far-flung market without wasting his produce, and the communities along the corridor share in this prosperity,” Iqbal said.
The minister said this approach would help move the CAREC agenda from connectivity towards competitiveness.
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Earlier, while addressing the conference's inaugural session, Iqbal said Pakistan's geographic position at the intersection of Central Asia, South Asia and maritime routes could support wider regional economic cooperation.
He said Pakistan aims to use its geographic position to promote regional connectivity, trade, digital integration and regional value chains.
Pakistan's participation comes as CAREC members and the Asian Development Bank continue work on regional initiatives involving trade and investment facilitation, digital connectivity, border infrastructure and financing mechanisms. CAREC's official programme has identified the 25th Ministerial Conference as a platform for advancing project-focused regional cooperation.
The Pakistan government has separately highlighted the modernisation of the Karachi-Peshawar Main Line-1 as part of its broader regional connectivity agenda. Iqbal has described ML-1 as an important component of Pakistan's efforts to increase freight capacity and strengthen links with regional markets.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal stressed the importance of developing a digital corridor across the CAREC region, saying Pakistan’s Single Window system could provide a foundation for phased digital integration with regional partners. CREDIT: 24News.
The conference also provided a platform for discussions between Pakistan and regional partners on connectivity and investment. In a separate meeting with an Uzbek delegation, Iqbal called for progress on the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway through feasibility work, financing arrangements and an implementation roadmap.
Pakistan's planned CAREC presidency and hosting of the next ministerial conference would place it at the centre of the programme's regional coordination efforts, with connectivity, trade, infrastructure, digital integration and investment among the areas under discussion.
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