CAREC corridors to connect Central Asia with global markets, says Ahsan Iqbal

Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal urged that CAREC transport routes be turned into economic corridors, according to a Business Recorder report on Tuesday. He made the call at the 25th CAREC Ministerial Conference in Ulaanbaatar, where he argued for linking infrastructure, logistics, digital connectivity, energy ties and climate resilience. Pakistan regards Corridors 5 and 6 as a chance to link Central Asia to the Arabian Sea, and to generate activity along them.

Iqbal said the chain would only be complete with improved CAREC roads, new crossing infrastructure at Torkham and Chaman, expanded rail freight via the planned ML-1 project, and smoother access to inland terminals and sea ports. He also suggested logistics and production centres at key points, where refrigeration, packing, storage and small-scale factories might turn transit goods into shipments abroad and new jobs. A digital corridor across the CAREC region was another priority, and the minister cited Pakistan Single Window as a base for phased integration with regional partners.

Alongside the meeting, Iqbal was present as the CAREC Capital Markets Development Forum and the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum signed an MoU. The pact seeks closer links among the capital markets in the CAREC and ASEAN blocs, with scope for sharing knowledge and cooperating among regulators. Pakistan also expressed readiness to take the CAREC chair in 2027 and host the 26th gathering of ministers.