Pakistan Positions Digital Silk Road as Next CPEC Milestone
Pakistan has identified the Digital Silk Road as the defining focus of the next stage of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), placing advanced technology collaboration at the centre of its economic partnership with Beijing. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Information Technology on Monday, Islamabad has proposed a set of new technology-focused joint ventures with China, ranging from 5G and 6G development to hardware manufacturing and ICT component production.
Since its launch in 2015, CPEC has served as a large-scale connectivity and development corridor linking western China with the Arabian Sea. Over the past decade, the initiative has been dominated by major energy schemes, transport corridors, power generation and the expansion of the Gwadar port, with investment commitments approaching $60 billion. As CPEC transitions into its second phase, the cooperation framework is expanding beyond physical infrastructure to include digital transformation, governance innovation, industrial technology upgrading and workforce development.
P.c. China Pakistan Economic Corridor
The Digital Silk Road, China’s model for global digital connectivity—spanning fiber networks, cloud systems, smart manufacturing, data routes and emerging technological ecosystems—has now been positioned as the backbone of Pakistan’s updated CPEC vision. Officials say this shift toward a digital track will help strengthen local industries, integrate Pakistan more deeply into regional technology supply chains and support the country’s ambition to grow as a digital services and data transit hub.
During a recent meeting with China’s Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology, Zhang Yunmeng, Pakistan’s IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja laid out proposals for collaboration in 5G/6G R&D, hardware production and the ICT supply chain. The ministry noted that these recommendations align with Pakistan’s broader CPEC technology strategy and reflect its commitment to building a more modern, innovation-driven economy.
As part of the expanding digital cooperation agenda, Pakistan also urged China to support efforts aimed at reducing systemic barriers that limit developing countries’ participation in global technology sourcing. The statement highlighted Islamabad’s call for a joint initiative to address the “Systemic Diversity Barrier,” alongside collaboration in cybersecurity, AI and cloud computing through a structured talent exchange program.
Furthermore, Khawaja proposed adopting China’s “Intelligent Manufacturing” model to facilitate the digital upgrading of local factories and enhance the technological capabilities of Pakistan’s industrial base. Both sides also explored opportunities for making Pakistan a regional data transit centre through integrated Pakistan–China fiber connectivity. The ministry concluded that both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening digital cooperation under the evolving CPEC framework.