Pakistan proposes 10,000 PhD scholarships with China under CPEC-II

Building Pakistan’s knowledge economy through advanced education and research

P.c. China Pakistan Economic Corridor

Pakistan proposes 10,000 PhD scholarships with China under CPEC-II


Pakistan has proposed 10,000 joint PhD scholarships in artificial intelligence, engineering, and emerging sciences at China’s top universities under CPEC Phase-II. Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal announced the initiative after the 14th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting, stressing the need to prepare Pakistan’s youth for knowledge-driven growth.

P.c. China Pakistan Economic Corridor

He explained that over the next decade, Pakistani students would be trained at China’s leading 50 universities in fields like AI, emerging sciences, engineering, and new technologies. This “knowledge corridor” aims to build a skilled generation that can lead Pakistan’s transformation into a $3 trillion economy by 2047.

The minister highlighted that the second phase of CPEC will focus on five key corridors: growth, livelihood, innovation, green energy, and regional connectivity. He emphasized youth empowerment, vocational and technical education, and joint research initiatives in fields such as quantum computing, robotics, fintech, and biotechnology.

Pakistan also plans to expand exports by seeking equal tariff treatment in Chinese markets, while both sides discussed the development of innovation hubs, joint labs, and future skills programs. Infrastructure projects, including the Karakoram Highway Phase-II realignment and a mineral corridor connecting Balochistan to Gwadar, were also announced.

Reassuring China of security commitments, Iqbal said protecting Chinese citizens in Pakistan remains a top priority. He described Pakistan-China relations as “iron brotherhood,” expressing hope that CPEC Phase-II will not only modernize agriculture and industry but also deepen people-to-people ties and deliver shared prosperity.