NATIONAL

Relationship with China cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy: PM

By Staff Report
  • Appreciates strong personal commitment of Chinese leadership to further bilateral ties
  • Says Pakistan wants to learn from Xinjiang’s success in agricultural modernization

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has said relationship with China is cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and an anchor for regional peace and development.

Talking to Party Secretary of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Ma Xingrui in Urumqi on Friday, he recalled his meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing and appreciated strong personal commitment of the Chinese leadership to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.

Reiterating the importance of Xinjiang for Pakistan, Anwaarul Kakar underscored that the region held a specific significance due to its geographical, historical and cultural affinity with Pakistan.

He stressed the importance of deepening of linkages between Xinjiang and the neighbouring areas of Pakistan in diverse fields ranging from trade and investment to cultural and people-to-people ties.

Thanking the Prime Minister for visiting Xinjiang, Party Secretary Ma Xingrui stated that there is immense potential to deepen Pakistan-Xinjiang ties in multiple domains.

He expressed Xinjiang’s willingness to explore business and trade opportunities in Pakistan and to further facilitate commercial and people-to-people ties via Khunjerab-Sost border crossing.

The two sides agreed to work together to harness the full potential of cooperation between Xinjiang and the neighbouring areas of Pakistan.

‘Pakistan seeks to learn from Xinjiang’s success in agricultural modernization’

Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has expressed Pakistan’s interest in partnering with Xinjiang in promoting connectivity in terms of infrastructure development, economic synergy, trade and investment, agriculture, educational exchanges, science and technology and people-to-people connections.

 

Addressing the students and faculty of Xinjiang University in Urumqi on Friday, he said Pakistan seeks to learn from Xinjiang’s success in agricultural modernization. He said we would also aim to set up a joint agricultural demonstration zone in Pakistan to introduce modern farming techniques and practices.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan aims to develop linkages between the industries of Xinjiang and Pakistan especially Gilgit-Baltistan region. He said one particular area in this regard could be solar energy, a key sector in Xinjiang.

He said we look forward to promote cultural and people to connections with Xinjiang. He invited tourists from Xinjiang and other parts of China to visit tourist places in Pakistan.

The Prime Minister said Xinjiang holds a special place in the hearts of Pakistanis as our neighboring region with longstanding cultural and historical linkages. He said Khunjerab border connecting Pakistan and China through this region is a more than a geographical demarcation. It is not only a channel of trade and transportation but also a vital bridge that connects the two great nations.

He said we will jointly work to identify the respective strengths of Gilgit-Baltistan and Xinjiang and build on our synergies for improving the livelihoods of the people of our region.

The Prime Minister said as per consensus reached in Beijing, our land border at Khunjerab will be converted into an all-weather border. We will like to upgrade the customs and other logistic services to facilitate trade and movement of people.

He said Pakistan aims to utilize Xinjiang’s position as an important nod of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its linkages with Pakistan.

He said China and Pakistan relationship is unique and special. It is rooted in bilateral trust, mutual respect and shared aspirations and invaluable warm that has been nurtured by successive generations of leadership and peoples of our countries.

Anwaarul Haq Kakar said Pakistan views its ties with China from a strategic long term perspective. He said in this ever changing global landscape, Pakistan-China friendship is a constant and will remain so. He said building on the success of our political ties, the two countries have placed special focus on the economic partnership manifested in CPEC.

The Prime Minister also visited the History Museum of Xinjiang University where he was briefed with regard to the history of the 99 year old Xinjiang University. He interacted with the students of Xinjiang University and also had a group photo with them.

PM offers Juma prayer at Urumqi’s Yinghang Grand Bazaar

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar offered Juma prayer at Urumqi’s Yinghang Grand Bazaar on Friday.

The Prime Minister prayed for the progress and development of the country and entire Muslim Ummah. He also specially prayed for the oppressed Muslims of Gaza.

PM arrives in Islamabad after concluding visit to China

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar arrived here on Friday after concluding his five-day visit to China. During the visit, the prime minister addressed the Third Belt and Road Forum held in Beijing.

On the sidelines of the Forum, he also met with the leaders of different countries, including Russia, Kenya and Sri Lanka. He also held meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang as well as the senior leadership of the Communist Party of China and discussed the ways forward to deepen bilateral relations.

Heads of various Chinese companies also called on the prime minister wherein the two sides explored opportunities to strengthen trade and investment cooperation. On last leg of the visit, the prime minister visited Urumqi and met Member of Politburo of CPC’s Central Committee Ma Xingrui, besides addressing the students at Xinjiang University. During the visit, the two sides signed 20 agreements and memorandums of understanding, covering cooperation on the BRI, infrastructure, mining, industry, green and low-carbon development, health, space cooperation, digital, development cooperation and export of agricultural products to China.

 

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