CPEC Extension to Afghanistan Marks Shift in Regional Connectivity
Pakistan has endorsed the strategic extension of CPEC into Afghanistan, describing it as a promising step toward regional integration and shared economic growth. This announcement was made during a bilateral dialogue between Senator Ishaq Dar and Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Istanbul. The agreement also reflects growing cooperation among Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan’s interim government under the Taliban.
P.c. China Pakistan Economic Corridor
The extended CPEC corridor is anticipated to enhance infrastructure, trade, and connectivity, positioning Afghanistan as a vital link within China’s wider Belt and Road Initiative. As a major player in South Asian development, CPEC has already transformed Pakistan’s energy and transport sectors. Its northward movement into Afghan territory could now act as a strategic bridge connecting Central and South Asia.
The trilateral commitment to restore diplomatic relations and pursue economic alignment suggests an optimistic outlook, even amidst enduring challenges. The Taliban’s continued overtures to Beijing and Islamabad point to a calculated effort to bring Afghanistan into larger development frameworks. Experts note that, if implemented securely, this initiative could alter the economic and political landscape of the entire region.