Pakistan’s solar boom, now contributing 25% of its utility electricity, the highest among major countries, presents a strategic opportunity to localize solar supply chains within Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This study investigates pathways for enabling solar localization, identifies key barriers to local manufacturing, and assesses the potential for domestic value chain development. Employing a mixed-methods approach, combining policy analysis, stakeholder consultations, and feasibility analysis, the study outlines an implementation strategy centered on leveraging SEZs and promoting technology transfer. Results indicate that if Pakistan succeeds in localizing even half of its solar imports, it could reduce import dependency and switching to solar energy could potentially save over $5 billion over two decades. This shift would not only enhance energy security but also enhance sustainable industrial development under CPEC 2.0.

This study investigates the gendered implications of Pakistan’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under CPEC 2.0, focusing on risks and opportunities for women in the country’s green industrial transition. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines secondary research with multi-stakeholder consultations, including engagement with SEZ authorities, Chinese investors, and women’s professional networks, the paper examines how legal ambiguity, defeminization, and occupational segregation restrict women’s participation and mobility in SEZs. Drawing on global comparative evidence and Pakistan’s specific legal and institutional gaps, the paper argues that SEZs can support gender-equitable industrialization if reforms are integrated into their design and governance. It recommends introducing mandatory gender equity plans in zone licensing, providing targeted skills training for women in high-tech sectors, operationalizing Pakistan’s National Gender Policy Framework within SEZ development, and embedding the Zone Social Responsibility (ZSR) framework across all SEZs to ensure long-term inclusion and empowerment.