From 16 to 25 September 2025 the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China hosted a seminar on retracing the ancient Silk Road between China and Pakistan to build the capacity of Pakistani officials under the framework of CPEC Phase-II. More than fifty officials from federal ministries and provincial governments attended, led by Dr. Nadeem Javaid, Vice Chancellor of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE).
The programme combined thematic lectures that examined China’s development journey, poverty alleviation and improving wellbeing, national development planning methodology, coordinated development and security, prospects for China–Pakistan cooperation and recent advances in Artificial Intelligence, giving participants a broad view of policy tools and institutional practices linked to the Silk Road legacy.
Participants said the sessions enhanced understanding of planning approaches and social development strategies relevant to Pakistan’s priorities under CPEC Phase-II, while exposure to AI advances highlighted technology’s potential role in governance and development. The NDRC seminar strengthened institutional linkages and reinforced policy capacity as Pakistan and China move into the next phase of cooperation along the Silk Road corridor.
