ISLAMABAD, October 24, 2026: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has expanded into a $50.33 billion investment portfolio comprising 95 projects, with 45 completed, 15 under implementation and another 35 at various stages of planning and consideration, according to an official parliamentary response.
The details, presented by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry, show that completed projects represent investments worth $25.62 billion, accounting for more than half of the corridor’s total estimated portfolio value.
Another 15 projects, with a combined estimated cost of $1.61 billion, are currently under implementation. Meanwhile, 35 proposed projects involving investments of approximately $23.11 billion remain in the pipeline.
The government clarified that projects awaiting implementation should not automatically be considered delayed, as many are undergoing feasibility assessments, financial negotiations, regulatory approvals and other preparatory processes.
Energy and infrastructure projects drive CPEC progress
According to the parliamentary response, CPEC’s completed portfolio includes several major energy projects that have contributed to Pakistan’s power generation infrastructure.
These include the Sahiwal Coal Power Plant, Port Qasim Coal Power Plant, China-HUB Coal Power Plant, Engro Thar Power and Mine, Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park, Karot Hydropower Project and Suki Kinari Hydropower Project.
Major transport and infrastructure developments listed as completed include the Multan-Sukkur Motorway (M-5), Orange Line Metro Train, Karakoram Highway Phase-II (Havelian-Thakot), Hakla-D.I. Khan Motorway, Eastbay Expressway, Gwadar Port and Free Zone, and New Gwadar International Airport.
The completed portfolio also covers socioeconomic initiatives involving healthcare, education, agriculture, disaster preparedness, vocational training and human-resource development.
Industrial zones and road networks under development
The 15 projects currently under implementation include several strategically important road and connectivity schemes.
Among them are the Awaran-Naal Road, Nokundi-Mashkhel Road, Hoshab-Awaran section of the M-8, Zhob-Quetta Road and Gilgit-Shandur-Chitral-Chakdara Road.
Industrial development remains another important component of the ongoing portfolio.
Projects include infrastructure development at Gwadar Free Zone Phase-II, Allama Iqbal Industrial City, Rashakai Special Economic Zone, Dhabeji Special Economic Zone and Bostan Special Economic Zone.
These initiatives are intended to strengthen industrial cooperation, improve regional connectivity and support economic activity in different parts of the country.
ML-1 railway and hydropower projects remain in pipeline
The 35 projects under consideration include several major infrastructure and energy proposals.
Among the prominent schemes are the Kohala Hydropower Project, Azad Pattan Hydropower Project, Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project, Karachi Circular Railway, Karakoram Highway Phase-I (Thakot-Raikot) and D.I. Khan-Zhob Highway.
Other proposed investments focus on energy development, industrial cooperation, connectivity and socioeconomic improvements.
The government said these projects were at different stages of conceptualisation, feasibility studies, financing arrangements and negotiations before formal implementation could begin.
Financing and security challenges affect implementation
Responding to parliamentary questions about cost overruns and delays over the past three years, Ahsan Iqbal identified several obstacles affecting the implementation of certain CPEC projects.
These included difficulties in securing financial closure with Chinese financial institutions, land acquisition disputes, right-of-way constraints and changes in project scope or design requiring additional approvals.
Procurement delays, contracting issues, coordination challenges between federal and provincial authorities, and legal, regulatory and environmental clearances were also identified as contributing factors.
Security and operational challenges, particularly in remote areas, have further complicated the execution of some schemes.
The minister said the government was addressing these issues individually through coordination among federal ministries, provincial governments, executing agencies and Chinese counterparts.
CPEC 2.0 shifts focus towards economic benefits
The parliamentary response highlighted strengthened monitoring arrangements through the Cabinet Committee on Chinese Investment Projects, CPEC Progress Review Meetings, the National Steering Committee, Joint Working Groups and the CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee.
The government is prioritising projects approaching completion while placing greater emphasis on financial sustainability and the effective operation of existing investments.
Under CPEC 2.0, the focus is gradually shifting towards maximising the economic benefits of completed infrastructure, expanding industrial cooperation and improving livelihoods.
Special attention is being directed towards extending connectivity, employment opportunities and socioeconomic development to less-developed and remote regions, particularly Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The government maintains that improved project coordination, financial planning and operational efficiency will be essential to translating CPEC investments into broader economic benefits for Pakistan.