No obstacles in way of Pakistan-China friendship to be tolerated, says PM Shehbaz
Pakistan
He Lifeng will also attend the 10th anniversary of CPEC in the federal capital
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated on Monday that Pakistan and China were all-weather friends and iron brothers and he would not tolerate any obstacles in its way.
He expressed the view while addressing a ceremony where he, along with visiting Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, witnessed signing of agreements and MoUs for promotion of bilateral cooperation.
“The documents signed today are aimed at further strengthening economic relations between the two countries,” he said.
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 31, 2023
Under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), more than $25 billion worth of investment has taken place in Pakistan's power and hydel sector, road infrastructure and public transport.
He said the CPEC was enter the second phase, which will envisage investments in sectors such as agriculture and information technology.
He said Pakistan was ready to contribute towards Chinese President Xi Jinping's vision of shared destiny of progress and prosperity. He said both ML-1 and Karachi circular railway projects were of immense importance, expressing the confidence that both the sides will successfully achieve these and many other projects. He was confident that this will help Pakistan stand on its own feet.
He also vowed to emulate the Chinese model of development to achieve peace and prosperity in the country.
Pakistan and China have signed six agreements and MOUs for promotion of bilateral cooperation. Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal and the Vice Chairman of National Development and Reforms Commission of People's Republic of China signed the document on the joint cooperation committee of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The second document signed by Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal and the Vice Chairman of National Development and Reforms Commission of People's Republic of China was related to the establishment of an experts exchange mechanism within the framework of CPEC.
The third document was signed by the Secretary Ministry of National Food Security Zafar Hassan and the Chinese Charge D’Affaires Pang Chunxue for the export of dried Chillies from Pakistan to China.
Member Planning of National Highway Authority Asim Amin and Chinese Charge D’Affaires Pang Chunxue signed the fourth document on the realignment of Karakoram Highway Phase II project feasibility study.
The two sides also signed through diplomatic channels the MOU on Industrial Workers' Exchange Program. The two sides agreed to promote the strategic ML-1 project.
Earlier in the day, PM Shehbaz shared a tweet to welcome the Chinese vice premier and members of his delegation to Pakistan.
“It is my pleasure to warmly welcome the Chinese Vice-Premier H.E. He Lifeng and members of his delegation to Pakistan,” he wrote.
It is my pleasure to warmly welcome the Chinese Vice-Premier H.E. He Lifeng and members of his delegation to Pakistan. They are visiting Pakistan to join us in celebrating the 10th anniversary of CPEC and witnessing first-hand the transformations brought about by this…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 31, 2023
“They are visiting Pakistan to join us in celebrating the 10th anniversary of CPEC and witnessing first-hand the transformations brought about by this game-changing initiative,” Mr Sharif added.
Local holidays had been announced in Islamabad for July 31 and August 1. The announcement of the public holiday was made with the approval of the chief commissioner.
