Source: WE News Published: 2024-03-06

ISLAMABAD: Former Caretaker Minister for Health Dr Nadeem Jan underscored the importance of embracing a human development-based approach to fully harness the development potential of Pak-China cooperation across various domains.

Speaking at a round-table discussion titled “China’s Economic Development: Opportunities for Pakistan” organized by CGTN-Urdu, Dr Nadeem Jan emphasized the symbiotic relationship between the peoples of Pakistan and China, signaling a mutually beneficial scenario conducive to Pakistan’s rapid development.

Highlighting the need for Pakistan to draw inspiration from China’s policies of consistency, accountability, and self-sufficiency, Dr Nadeem Jan stressed the importance of aligning short and long-term goals with ground realities. He advocated for reducing dependence on external donors and instead advocated for self-reliance and fostering competitiveness as the way forward. Dr Nadeem Jan also identified the pharmaceutical sector as a potential avenue for enhancing exports to China, with the goal of reaching $2 billion.

Political Counsellor Wang Shengjie of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China reiterated the commitment to ongoing projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), highlighting the potential for accelerated development through innovative strategies, particularly emphasizing the “New Quality Productive Process.” He underscored the untapped potential in Pakistan’s information technology and mining sectors as key areas for growth and collaboration.

The event featured insights and suggestions from various esteemed participants, including Ms. Du Jianing from the China Media Group, Ms. Xiang Yang from the China Study Centre at NUST, Dr. Hassan Dawood Butt, Dr. Khalid Taimur Akram, Shakeel Ahmed Ramay, Commodore (Retd) Imran ul Haque, Prof Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, and others. Dr. Wang Wen from the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies emphasized China’s development as a source of optimism for Pakistan, highlighting Pakistan’s position as a prime beneficiary of China’s development initiatives due to their close friendship and geographical proximity.