A joint research work – Examining the Feasibility of an East-West Economic Corridor for South and Central Asia: Views from India and Pakistan – published in collaboration between the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), the RAND Corporation – California-based American nonprofit global policy think tank, and the Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI) – a New Delhi-based Indian think tank.
The Islamabad Policy Research Institute hosted the event at its office in Islamabad and attended by policymakers, diplomats, and scholars to deliberate on the potential and prerequisites of establishing an East-West Economic Corridor (EWECA) aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and cooperation between South and Central Asia. IPRI Research Director Dr Raashid Wali Janjua inaugurated the event.
Minister says govt upgrading border infrastructure and trade zones to promote regional linkages under Uraan Pakistan initiative
In his keynote address, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the need for actionable policy measures. “Our region has a long history of trade connectivity through routes such as the Silk Road and the Grand Trunk Road. Yet today, it remains one of the least integrated regions in the world,” he pointed out.
Under Uraan Pakistan initiative, he said that the government was upgrading border infrastructure and trade zones to promote regional linkages. “It is time to move from aspirations to practical steps, as trade depends on regional peace and stability. He noted the book examines how regional trade has been restricted due to longstanding tensions, particularly between Pakistan and India. He stressed importance of shifting from political discord to economic collaboration.
RAND Corporation senior economist Dr Rafiq Dossani, who is also Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy, highlighted importance of building trust for economic integration. “Integration requires more than strategic plans — it requires time and trust. Coordination can benefit from an ASEAN-type model under EWECA, with a phased, step-by-step agenda where each milestone is achieved before moving to the next.” He pointed to political dynamics as a key factor that has impeded cooperation in the region.
Expert suggests ASEAN-type model for East-West Economic Corridor with step-by-step agenda to achieve each milestone before moving to the next
Kazakhstan Ambassador Yerzhan Kistifan underlined the role Pakistan can play in linking Central Asian states. “We must close a communication gap between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, including improving collaboration between media and business sectors. Pakistan can act as a connector between landlocked Central Asian countries,” he said, and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to further strengthening ties with Pakistan.
He said that Kazakhstan values its 35-year-long relationship with Pakistan and was eager to build stronger connections in multiple sectors. According to him, leadership on both sides was committed to enhancing cooperation. Being the largest landlocked country in Central Asia, he said Kazakhstan was actively working to improve trade links through Pakistan. He mentioned efforts to link Kazakhstan with Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan.
After 2021, he said that the situation in Afghanistan was getting stable. “Afghanistan is an integral part of our regional cooperation,” he said. Highlighting recent progress in bilateral cooperation, he said that last month, over 300 members from Kazakhstan visited Karachi and signed agreements worth more than 200 million dollars. He said that the visit allowed Kazakh stakeholders to witness Pakistan’s trade potential firsthand.
The ambassador pointed out two key challenges to deeper cooperation: limited communication and weak connectivity between the two nations. He said that Kazakhstan was shifting from a landlocked to a land-linked country by improving its regional transport and trade infrastructure. In this effort, he said that Pakistani ports like Gwadar, Karachi, and Port Qasim were crucial gateways for Kazakhstan to reach markets in Gulf, Africa, and beyond.
He said that closer cooperation could benefit South Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia by creating new routes for trade and economic exchange. He stressed that Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, were looking forward to boosting relations with Pakistan to build a stronger network of regional integration. He noted the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties and encouraged closer interaction between communities in both the countries.
Ambassador Dr Raza Muhammad reflected on the shared understanding among contributing authors. “The success of any economic corridor depends on domestic consensus and sustained dialogue. The example of SAARC shows us consequences of stagnation. Even during the Cold War, adversaries like Washington and Moscow maintained dialogue. Pakistan and India must adopt a similar approach,” he said.
