Pakistan is gearing up for a pivotal Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting, where it will seek over $2 billion in new funding from China to accelerate key infrastructure projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), according to insider sources.
The proposed financing includes approximately $1.5 billion for the realignment of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) Phase II and the development of the East Bay Expressway. An additional $500 million is being requested for the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway upgrade, specifically the stretch between Rohri and Multan.
The KKH Phase II overhaul is projected to cost nearly Rs. 500 billion, while the East Bay Expressway—spanning 14 kilometers—is estimated at over Rs. 30 billion. Under the current plan, China would cover 85% of the funding for both projects, with Pakistan contributing the remainder.
These initiatives are part of a broader effort to modernize transport networks, enhance regional connectivity, and reinforce Pakistan’s strategic partnership with China.