ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China will be focused on enhancing investment in Pakistan and advancing cooperation between the two steadfast allies, said a senior minister.
Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the two countries were ready for the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
Sharif’s five-day visit, commencing on Tuesday, will see the leaders collaboratively planning to strengthen their bilateral relationship, Ahsan Iqbal said in a statement on Monday. This visit marks PM Sharif’s first to China since assuming office for his second term, following the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) coalition’s rise to power in March.
The visit will prioritize both governmental and business investments in sectors such as energy, agriculture, and Special Economic Zones. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong earlier maintained that under the guidance of the two nations’ leadership and with strong public support, Prime Minister Sharif’s visit was expected to be highly successful and a significant milestone in China-Pakistan relations.
“China is prepared to collaborate with Pakistan during this visit to advance our strategic cooperative partnership and take new steps towards a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future,” Ambassador Jiang Zaidong said in an opinion piece.
Prime Minister Sharif’s visit to Beijing, traditionally the first international stop for Pakistani leaders upon taking office, comes at a time when Pakistan is grappling with am economic crisis and low foreign exchange reserves. China continues to support Pakistan’s financial stability with periodic loans to maintain necessary foreign exchange reserves. –Agencies
