Minister Ahsan Iqbal Inaugurates 5th Annual Research Conference on Regional Connectivity and Economic Cooperation

The Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, inaugurated the opening session of the 5th Annual Research Conference, jointly organized by the CAREC Institute (CI) and the University of Sargodha held in Islamabad on Thursday to foster dialogue on trade facilitation, regional connectivity, and economic cooperation between South and Central Asia. Vice Chancellor of the University of Sargodha, Prof. Dr. Qaisar Abbas, welcomed the esteemed guests, expressing heartfelt gratitude for their participation.
Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal, in his keynote address, highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to regional development and emphasized national initiatives such as URAAN Pakistan and the 5Es Plan. He extended his gratitude to the CAREC Institute and the University of Sargodha for bringing this impactful event in Pakistan. “The conference should yield practical outcomes such as streamlined trade facilitation measures, actionable plans for green and sustainable infrastructure, enhanced transit connectivity, and stronger institutional frameworks to deepen regional integration between South and Central Asia,” said Ahsan Iqbal.
Distinguished guests who shared their insights during the opening session included Director of the CAREC Institute Mr. Charymuhammet Shallyyev, Mr. Yang Guangyuan (Public Affairs Officer, Chinese Embassy), Mr. Syed Shakeel Shah (Prime Minister’s Office, Islamabad), Ms. Emma Fan (Regional Manager and Country Director, ADB), and Mr. Syed Aftab Haider (CEO, Pakistan Single Window).
Talking to the media, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qaisar Abbas said, “There is a need to develop a consortium of universities across CAREC countries to promote collaborative research, academic exchange, and policy innovation. Such a platform will strengthen regional academic ties and contribute to evidence-based solutions for shared economic and development challenges.”
The two-day conference was structured around three thematic sessions, panel discussions, and plenary addresses, focusing on regional trade flows, the development of green infrastructure, efficient transit systems, and the enhancement of cross-border cooperation to foster enduring research partnerships and build robust knowledge networks across CAREC countries and beyond.
The conference also featured participation from key national and international institutions, including the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Pakistan Single Window (PSW), Allama Iqbal Open University, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), International Road Transport Union (IRU), Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI), Manzil Pakistan, Pakistan International Freight Forwarders Association (PIFFA), and ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF).