ISLAMABAD — Pakistan is finalising its agenda for the upcoming Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) on CPEC, with a priority focus on securing funding for Karakoram Highway (KKH) Phase-II, now revised to Rs502 billion. The meeting is scheduled for September 26 in Beijing, where Pakistan will also push for financing of ML-1 and the Eastbay Expressway.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal confirmed that proposals will be finalised next week. He said the cost of KKH-II has escalated due to realignment, requiring RMB 5.9 billion for a submerged 100km stretch. The revised project, already approved by Ecnec, is seen as critical for maintaining connectivity through the northern corridor.
Alongside KKH-II, Pakistan seeks $500 million Chinese financing for the Rohri–Multan section of ML-1, complementing the Asian Development Bank’s $1.2 billion already committed for the Karachi–Rohri track. This phase is expected to begin by March 2026 and conclude in 2028, serving as a vital link for transporting output from the Reko Diq mining project.
The government will also request financing for the Eastbay Expressway, a Rs30 billion, 14-kilometre road connecting Reko Diq with Gwadar’s new airport. Beyond infrastructure, Pakistan and China are set to expand cooperation in growth, green economy, livestock, agriculture, and regional development.
