ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have signed 24 agreements to develop a digital corridor aimed at enhancing information technology (IT) cooperation between the two states, state-run media reported on Monday. 

The memoranda of understanding between the two sides were signed in Beijing, according to the state-owned Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). 

The MoUs include one government-to-government, seven government-to-business and 16 business-to-business agreements.

“The initiative focuses on developing an innovative and pragmatic digital corridor to enhance cooperation in the IT industry,” APP reported. 

APP said the digital corridor will create new avenues for Pakistani tech companies and expand bilateral cooperation with China in the information and communication technology infrastructure development.

The development is in line with Pakistan’s recent efforts to boost IT exports and enhance digital cooperation with regional allies. 

In November, Pakistan highlighted the “Digital Silk Road” as the next major phase of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) while proposing new technology partnerships with Beijing, including joint ventures in 5G/6G, hardware manufacturing and ICT components. 

Launched in 2015, CPEC is a multibillion-dollar connectivity program linking western China to the Arabian Sea. The initiative has historically focused on energy projects, highways, power plants and the Gwadar port, with committed investments estimated at around $60 billion. 

As the two countries enter CPEC’s second phase, cooperation is expanding beyond physical infrastructure into technology, digital governance, manufacturing and skills development.

The Digital Silk Road is Beijing’s framework for cross-border connectivity in fiber, cloud services, data routing, smart manufacturing and emerging technologies. It is increasingly positioned as the backbone of CPEC’s next stage.