BEIJING: Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif has said that China stands with Pakistan on Kashmir issue and Pakistan wants resolution of Kashmir issue through dialogue.
He is leading a high-level delegation to China, met Chinese President Xi Jinping and his counterpart Li Keqiang on Saturday. Federal ministers and all the four chief ministers also participated in the meeting. He apprised Chinese president of the achievements made by Pakistan and implementation of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) during the meeting.
Jinping said “We welcome the arrival of whole Pakistan in China today. Sino-Pak friendship is deep rooted and China will take all possible measures to make Pakistan stronger on economic front.”
On meeting with Chinese president, Nawaz said that the presence of all the chief ministers [of Pakistan] shows the importance our nation gives to Pak-China ties.
“China is our strategic partner and China has made investment of 56 billion dollars in CPEC. The positive benefits of this investment will soon be seen. If there is investment then industry will be set up and employment opportunities will be created”, he added.
Earlier, after his meeting with Chinese premier, Nawaz said that Pakistan considers China it’s most important friend and fully backs Beijing’s “One Belt One Road” Initiative. He said that participation of key world leaders in the forum is a good omen. We all stand as one for CPEC and Pakistan is determined for its early completion,” the PM said.
After the meeting between the two heads, ministers from both sides signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) of multiple agreements between China and Pakistan. These included agreements on the upgradation of Pakistan Railways system as well as development of an international airport in Gwadar.
The PM is accompanied by chief ministers of all four provinces, as well as Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Railways Minister Saad Rafique, Commerce Minister Khurram Dastagir and Information Technology (IT) Minister Anushay Rehman, among others.
The prime minister will attend the inaugural session of the “One Belt One Road” Summit, a plenary meeting of high-level dialogue and the state banquet. The prime minister will also attend leaders’ roundtable sessions scheduled to be held on the second day of the forum.
