Pakistan took center stage at the 24th CAREC ministerial conference, held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic and hosted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan led Pakistan’s delegation, reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to deeper regional integration, climate resilience, and expanded digital cooperation.

The minister expressed gratitude to the ADB leadership, acknowledging Vice President Yinming Yang, Lyaziza Sabyrova, and Country Director Ehsan Khan for their continued support to Pakistan’s development agenda.

24th CAREC Ministerial Conference & Pakistan’s Vision for a Green and Digital Future

This year’s theme, “Green and Digital CAREC,” aligns strongly with Pakistan’s national priorities of green growth, climate resilience, digital transformation, and regional trade modernization.

Minister Abdul Aleem Khan emphasized that Pakistan is fully committed to transforming the CAREC 2030 Midterm Review into actionable progress. He welcomed the updated Rolling Implementation Action Plan and the recalibrated strategies for digitization, transport, and trade.

Pakistan’s recent milestones include:

• The enactment of the Land Port Authority Act 2025
• Rapid adoption of the TIR/eTIR system for secure, paperless transit
• Expansion of RAAST, enhancing financial inclusion
• Digital trade reforms through Pakistan Single Window, including electronic certificates

These developments reflect Pakistan’s dedication to a connected, sustainable regional future—core to the goals of the 24th CAREC ministerial conference.

Strengthening Climate Resilience Through CAREC’s New Sustainability Fund

Climate change is a central theme of the 24th CAREC ministerial conference, especially with Pakistan’s high vulnerability to climate disasters such as recent catastrophic floods.

Pakistan welcomed the establishment of the Climate and Sustainability Project Preparatory Fund (CSPPF), calling it a crucial instrument to support resilience-building across the CAREC region.

Key priorities highlighted:

• CAREC’s Climate Action Plan must prioritize adaptation financing.
• Financing models should address different vulnerability levels among member countries.
• ADB should expand concessional financing for faster fund implementation.
• The region must move toward a coordinated, results-based reporting dashboard.

These steps, the minister noted, are vital for protecting shared development gains across Central and South Asia.

Expanding Digital Cooperation Through the CAREC Digital Corridor

A major highlight of the 24th CAREC ministerial conference was Pakistan’s renewed commitment to the proposed CAREC Digital Corridor—a transformative initiative designed to connect Central Asia securely to global digital networks through Pakistan.

Pakistan expressed its full openness to:

• Collaborating on feasibility, design, and financing of the digital corridor
• Establishing a joint working group under the CAREC digital agenda
• Strengthening data resilience and cross-border digital integration

The minister underscored Pakistan’s strategic position as a digital gateway linking landlocked Central Asian economies to global internet routes.

Advancing Trade Modernization and Digital Systems Under CAREC

Trade digitization remains a cornerstone of Pakistan’s regional strategy. During the 24th CAREC ministerial conference, Pakistan reiterated its support for:

Next Phase of CATS-ICE

Pakistan endorsed the next phase of the CAREC Advanced Transit System – Information Common Exchange (CATS-ICE) for harmonized, fast, and secure trade data sharing.

CARTIF Electronic Exchange

Pakistan also backed the piloting of electronic exchange and mutual recognition of conformity certificates under CARTIF, which will reduce trade bottlenecks across land ports.

Pakistan Single Window Expertise

Islamabad offered technical support to member countries to integrate and digitize customs and trade systems across the CAREC region.

This strong digital policy direction aligns with goals set during previous national reforms and covered extensively in Pakistan’s internal digital transformation reports. (Internal link suggestion: “Pakistan’s Digital Trade Transformation Report” or any relevant article available on your site.)

Regional Financing, PPPs & Private Investment Mobilization

Another major theme of the 24th CAREC ministerial conference was mobilizing regional financing.

Pakistan supported:

• The proposed Development Partners’ Retreat
• Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
• Leveraging private capital for long-term regional infrastructure
• Continued consultations on a proposed regional financing fund

The minister stressed the importance of aligning multi-year project pipelines with available financing, particularly for scaling green and digital projects across CAREC member states.

Conclusion: Pakistan Reaffirms Commitment to CAREC Vision

Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s strong commitment to the CAREC partnership. He emphasized that through collective innovation and environmental stewardship, the region can achieve:

• Deeper connectivity
• Stronger climate resilience
• Expanded digital cooperation
• Inclusive economic prosperity

Federal Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja’s participation further strengthened Pakistan’s digital priorities at the 24th CAREC ministerial conference.

Pakistan remains ready to work closely with all CAREC member states to transform shared aspirations into high-impact, sustainable regional outcomes.

External Links

• Asian Development Bank: https://www.adb.org
• CAREC Program: https://www.carecprogram.org
• Pakistan Single Window: https://www.psw.gov.pk