Pakistan and China launch CPIC to counter misleading narratives, boost ties
Four pillars of the new information corridor
The initiative was launched at a ceremony in Islamabad attended by Information Minister Ataullah Tarar, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong. Tarar said the project would strengthen cooperation in media, business, research, culture and tourism.
He described the corridor as a new stage in relations between the two countries, building on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He said the new initiative would connect people through information and shared understanding, just as CPEC had improved physical and economic links.
Media cooperation to tackle misleading information
The media pillar will bring together 18 Pakistani and Chinese media organisations to exchange verified news about cooperation between the two countries. Participating organisations include state broadcasters, private television channels, Xinhua, CMG and People’s Daily.
The corridor will also establish a fact-checking system to identify misleading claims and respond with reliable information. Tarar said the aim was to help people understand developments in both countries through verified news rather than false or distorted accounts.
Business, investment and research links
The business pillar will involve major commercial groups from Pakistan and China, with its first regional office opened in Karachi. Plans include a trade portal to track trade, investment and foreign direct investment, as well as podcasts sharing the experiences of Chinese entrepreneurs in Pakistan and Pakistani entrepreneurs in China.
The third pillar will focus on cooperation between think tanks and research institutions in both countries. Led by the Pakistan-China Institute, the initiative will support joint discussions, research and publications to improve understanding of shared issues and strengthen bilateral ties.
Tourism and youth exchange
Tourism is the fourth pillar of CPIC, which Tarar described as the “heart of the corridor”. Work is underway on a tourism corridor linking Xinjiang with Gilgit-Baltistan to encourage more Chinese visitors to explore northern Pakistan.
Tarar also announced that the first group of CPEC Youth Ambassadors had been nominated from 13 universities across Pakistan. The programme aims to help young people learn more about China and build stronger connections between the two societies.
CPIC aims to expand Pakistan-China cooperation beyond trade, infrastructure and investment by improving how people in both countries understand each other. Its success will depend on sharing accurate information, supporting meaningful cultural exchanges and turning plans for media, business, research and tourism into practical results.
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