Experts Emphasize Need for CPEC Expansion to Afghanistan for Regional Stability
At a recent seminar held by Beaconhouse National University (BNU) in Lahore, experts highlighted the importance of extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan as a means of enhancing regional stability and economic integration. Titled “Regional Connectivity – BRI and CPEC Extension to Afghanistan and Beyond,” the event brought together eminent speakers, including Ambassador Asif Durrani, former Minister of Investment Haroon Sharif, and Dr. Ishrat Hussain, among others, with discussions centering on the potential for economic and infrastructural linkages through CPEC.
The seminar addressed both the potential benefits and the challenges of extending CPEC into Afghanistan. Ambassador Durrani acknowledged China’s substantial investments in CPEC over the last decade, while noting hurdles such as security concerns under the Taliban regime. Former Afghan Deputy Speaker Mirwais Yasini shared insights on how CPEC could create jobs and harness Afghanistan’s natural resources, notably lithium, to foster industry and technology if security conditions improve.
Speakers also explored how mutual security measures could bolster CPEC’s extension, with Dr. Hussain suggesting collaborative security efforts between China and Pakistan. Haroon Sharif highlighted the need for CPEC to yield tangible economic benefits for both Pakistan and Afghanistan, stressing the importance of connectivity with neighboring markets.
An interactive session concluded the seminar, with students and researchers voicing their thoughts on the challenges facing CPEC and the need for youth participation in shaping policies for Pakistan’s economic future. Overall, the event underscored the necessity of strategic planning and cooperative efforts for a stable, interconnected region.