Pakistan emerging as 5th largest medical manufacturing hub for Chinese

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2026) Pakistan emerging as 5th largest medical manufacturing hub for Chinese pharmaceutical investment. China-Pakistan Health Corridor (CPHC) is creating new opportunities for bilateral cooperation in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical infrastructure, and professional training, while further strengthening economic and strategic relations between Pakistan and China.

Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) Commercial Ambassador and Managing Partner of M&M Pharma, Adeel Munawar, shared these views during a think-tank session held at PCJCCI Secretariat on Tuesday.

Adeel Munawar stated that Pakistan possesses immense potential as the fifth-largest medical manufacturing hub in the region, contributing nearly 80 percent of medical-related exports. He emphasized that Pakistan’s low production costs, strategic connectivity with regional markets, and availability of raw materials make it an attractive destination for Chinese pharmaceutical investment.

He noted that Memorandums worth $250 million signed between Pakistan and China in January 2025 further reinforced bilateral cooperation in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. He highlighted that China-Pakistan Health Corridor, initiated in 2017 under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has become a significant pillar of bilateral cooperation, focusing on medical education, healthcare infrastructure, pharmaceutical development, telemedicine, and research collaboration. According to him, the corridor is opening new opportunities for Pakistani pharmaceutical exports to Central Asia, the middle East, and European markets.

He further stated that the proposed establishment of a USD 01 billion medical city in Pakistan by China would mark a historic milestone in bilateral healthcare cooperation.

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The project is expected to create thousands of employment opportunities, introduce advanced medical technologies, and strengthen Pakistan’s healthcare delivery system. He also noted that several Chinese pharmaceutical companies, including CanSino, Hangzhou New Sea Technology, and UH Biopharma, are already contributing to Pakistan’s pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors through collaborative ventures and investment partnerships.

Discussing technological advancements, Adeel Munawar highlighted the growing role of telemedicine and digital healthcare cooperation between the two countries. He said that online medical consultations and remote diagnostic support are helping bridge healthcare gaps between urban and rural populations, ensuring better healthcare access for marginalized communities.

He also emphasized the importance of joint medical research projects focusing on diseases such as Thalassemia, Hepatitis, Malaria, and other emerging infectious diseases. He added that collaborative research and the promotion of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can contribute significantly toward affordable and effective healthcare solutions in Pakistan.

Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, Adeel Munawar acknowledged China’s timely support to Pakistan through the provision of vaccines, testing kits, protective equipment, and financial assistance for the establishment of isolation hospitals. He remarked that this cooperation further strengthened the longstanding friendship and strategic trust between the two nations.