Chinese firms join Pakistan's lithium, pharma projects

The Express Tribune reported that Haroon Akhtar Khan, the federal minister who advises the Prime Minister on industries and production, said on Monday that the China trip by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with the Pakistan-China B2B forums, had created new openings for economic ties. He called the lithium-ion battery, agriculture and pharmaceutical engagements an exceptional and historic achievement. Strong participation by Chinese firms in these areas, he said, gives Pakistan a major industrial opening.

Chairing a high-level meeting, Khan reviewed progress on B2B ties with China and the implementation of MoUs between businesses of both nations, with senior officials from relevant ministries in attendance. According to the report, these contacts had already yielded notable progress on several MoUs and joint ventures valued in the millions of dollars. He ordered continuous follow-up on every agreement and stressed that documents must become workable projects, since signing them alone would not produce results.

The government intends to channel this cooperation into funded projects, shared manufacturing, know-how exchange and larger shipments abroad. The meeting also reviewed coordination among stakeholders and how to turn these talks into factories, shared ventures and export projects. The adviser said bringing Chinese capital and expertise into the economy, tied to domestic output and exports, is a top government priority.