ISLAMABAD (Urdu Times) Beyond Poverty Reduction: What Pakistan can learn from China`s development journey

Written By Ms. Abida, a Participant of ICSF-SBBWU Fellowship Programme 2026-2027

ISLAMABAD (Urdu Times) For developing countries, it is crucial to eradicate its poverty because it helps build a robust economic growth and improve people living standards by providing people with improved access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunity. In the past, China was one of developing country that moved from a developing economy into a global leader on technology, innovation, education, infrastructure and human development through its long-term planning, policy continuity and human development.

Pakistan has significant lessons to learn from its key strategic ally, China. For this purpose we must first examine china`s development journey and those policies that Pakistan can adopt to achieve its national stability.

Since 1978, the beginning of China’s reform and opening up period, GDP growth has averaged over 9 percent a year, lifting almost 800 million people out of extreme poverty and transforming China from a low-income to upper-middle-income country.

Today, China is the world`s second- largest economy. China’s rapid economic growth is because of its long-term planning and wise economic reforms specially in the late 20th century. By the 1980s, Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping acknowledged that for progress it is necessary to connect with global markets, so they changed closed economy to open-door policy.

They established a national consensus on development. They never changed national direction whether the leaders change or not. China’s steadfast vision become China`s greatest strategic tool, more powerful than capital and institutions combined. This is the first lesson that no country can achieve stability without a long-term and essential development.

Since Pakistan is a democratic government, there is a change of government every five years, so if the policies are long-term and institutionalized, then it will not make a difference if the government changes.

China also understood that wealth cannot flourish without strong infrastructure. That’s why they developed the world`s high-speed rail system, industrial zones, power plants and grids, mega-ports, logistic hubs and digital core infrastructure. Infrastructure served as the groundwork upon which industries, employment, and exports flourished. The better roads and highways improved access of rural areas to markets, reduce transportation and production coast, improved access to fundamental services and created more economic opportunities. Pakistan has an opportunity to apply this lesson and also use China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to turn infrastructure into economic development.

However, China’s experience show that infrastructure create opportunities, but human capital helps a country use those opportunities productively. They turned rural farmer into factory workers, factory worker into technician and finally to engineer. For Pakistan the real challenge is not only infrastructure but also developing the skilled workforce.

China`s sustainable agriculture practices show the importance of modern farming techniques, scientific research, water conservation and eco- friendly farming methods. Pakistan faces agricultural constraints such as water shortages, soil erosion, climate change, and outdated farming techniques. To address these challenges, Pakistan should promote water-saving irrigation, develop climate-resilient cultivars, train farmers in modern techniques, and reduce the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

China`s pragmatic approach to international relations has been pivotal in his growth. Despite political conflicts, China emphasized economic interests, maintaining trade relations with politically confrontational countries like India and the US. Pakistan`s geopolitical rivalry with India could reduce by adopting a more economically pragmatic approach and stabilized trade relations, which might secure long-lasting peace and stability.

China`s history demonstrates that nations can rise from challenging periods when leadership is bold and public is engaged in the reform process. Pakistan has immense potential, rich resources, a young population and geopolitical significance. What Pakistan needs today is political stability, strengthening local institutions, investment in renewable energy, transparent and accountable governance, protection for the vulnerable households, and a decisive strategy to overcome terrorism.

For Pakistan, the Chines experience provides both inspiration and practical lessons. If Pakistan learn from china`s reforms and achievement it can not only emerge stronger, more resilient, and more independent than before.