- Greets CPC on 102nd anniversary and thanks for firm support to Pakistan’s sovereignty, economic development
- Lauds strong personal commitment of Chinese leadership for strengthening bilateral ties
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that as ‘Iron Brothers’ and old friends, Pakistan and China always stood together in difficult times and had extended unflinching support to each other on issues of mutual concern.
The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with Charge d’affaires of the People’s Republic of China Pang Chunxue, who called on him.
The prime minister felicitated the Communist Party of China on its 102nd anniversary and thanked the CPC leadership for its firm support to Pakistan’s sovereignty, integrity and economic development, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
Chargeé D'affaires of Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, Pang Chunxue
called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad today. pic.twitter.com/W998y8RWsc— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 11, 2023
Recalling his substantive interactions with President Xi Jinping and more recently with Premier Li Qiang, the prime minister appreciated the strong personal commitment of the Chinese leadership for strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.
Noting the upward trajectory in Pakistan-China ties and deepening economic and financial relationship, the prime minister thanked China for its support for Pakistan’s economic stability and expressed his firm commitment to further deepen development cooperation between the two countries under the rubric of Global Development Initiative and China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Conveying the best wishes and felicitations of the Chinese government for Pakistan, Pang underscored that Pakistan was an all-weather strategic cooperative partner of China and a time-tested friend.
She highlighted that the Chinese government and the Communist Party of China accorded a special place to Pakistan in its neighborhood diplomacy and looked forward to further deepening relationship in all fields of bilatral cooperation.
Thanking the prime minister for his virtual participation in the first High-Level Forum on Global Development Initiative (GDI), Chinese Charge d’ Affaires expressed China’s resolve to implement GDI projects in Pakistan as envisaged by the leadership of two countries.
She further underscored that CPEC was a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative and that Chinese leadership would continue supporting Pakistan’s efforts for developing CPEC as the high-quality demonstration project of the BRI.
She reiterated that China regarded Pakistan as an important economic partner and would continue its efforts for promoting socio-economic development and financial stability of Pakistan.
PM praises IB’s performance, role
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday appreciated the performance and role of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) in strengthening the country’s solidarity, sovereignty and thwarting threats posed by local and foreign elements.
The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with IB Director General Fawad Asadullah Khan who presented a one-year performance report of the Bureau, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
He expressed his satisfaction over the performance of the IB and observed that it had played a very critical role in national solidarity and safeguarding its sovereignty.
The prime minister said that he had tasked the IB with additional tasks after assuming his office and the Bureau had achieved them successfully.
It also played an effective role in rooting out criminal activities and performed well in the anti-terrorism efforts, he said, adding the IB’s role was also excellent with regard to gleaning of timely information, leading to correct decisions.
He said the nation felt pride over the sacrifices of its Shuhada who embraced martyrdom for the security and defence of the country.
The prime minister lauded professional ability of the DG IB and his efforts to further improve the Bureau, and also commended the role and performance of IB officers and staff.
The DG IB expressed his gratitude to the prime minister for reposing confidence in the Bureau and his support.
The IB has been the oldest and the prime civilian intelligence agency of Pakistan.
