Human development approach urged in Pak-China cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Former Caretaker Minister for Health Dr. Nadeem Jan underscored the need for adopting a human development approach to fully capitalize on the development opportunities within Pak-China cooperation across various sectors.

Dr Jan made these remarks while addressing a round-table discussion titled "China’s Economic Development: Opportunities for Pakistan," organized by CGTN-Urdu.

Highlighting the strong bond between the peoples of Pakistan and China, Dr. Jan emphasized the potential for mutual benefit, hoping for a positive trajectory for Pakistan's rapid development. He advocated for Pakistan to draw inspiration from China's policies centered on consistency, accountability, and self-sufficiency to realize its development objectives.

However, Dr. Jan cautioned that Pakistan must factor in ground realities when formulating short and long-term goals. He stressed the importance of reducing dependence on external donors, advocating for self-reliance and fostering a competitive environment.

Dr. Jan also highlighted Pakistan's capacity to expand pharmaceutical exports to $2 billion, with China representing a promising market.

Wang Shengjie, Political Counsellor at the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, highlighted the ongoing progress of various projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Pakistan.

He proposed that development goals could be achieved by embracing the concept of the "New Quality Productive Process," prioritizing innovative strategies. Wang particularly mentioned the potential for growth in Pakistan's information technology and mining sectors.

Ms. Du Jianing, Director of China Media Group, and Director of the China Study Centre at the National University of Science also attended the conference.