LAHORE: The Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) has welcomed the establishment of Pakistan’s first coal-based fertiliser plant under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), describing the $1.12 billion investment as a landmark project that will strengthen agricultural productivity, enhance food security, generate employment opportunities, and promote industrial growth.
In a statement issued on Thursday, PCJCCI President Nazir Hussain said the project would enable Pakistan to utilise its indigenous coal resources for fertiliser production, reducing reliance on imported fertiliser inputs and ensuring a more stable and affordable supply for farmers.
“This is not merely an industrial project; it is a strategic investment in Pakistan’s agricultural future,” he said. “Affordable and consistent fertiliser availability will directly support higher crop yields, strengthen food security, and improve the competitiveness of Pakistan’s agricultural exports.”
He added that the initiative is expected to lower production costs in the agriculture sector while supporting sustainable economic development and import substitution.
PCJCCI Senior Vice President Brigadier Mansoor Saeed Sheikh highlighted China’s achievements in agricultural modernisation, noting that Pakistan can benefit significantly from adopting advanced farming technologies and best practices.
He emphasized that Pakistan possesses vast untapped agricultural potential across its diverse agro-climatic regions and said that dryland farming could be expanded through modern irrigation systems, innovative cultivation techniques, and greater technology transfer under CPEC cooperation.
According to PCJCCI, the fertiliser plant represents another major milestone in Pakistan-China economic collaboration and is expected to contribute significantly to the country’s long-term agricultural sustainability, industrialisation, and rural economic development.
