ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar noted that China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are vital vehicles for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mr Kakar expressed these views during a call on with Chinese Vice-President Mr. Han Zheng here in New York on the sidelines of the UNGA Summit.
The conversation was marked by traditional warmth and cordiality that has been the hallmark of Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership. During the meeting, the two leaders exchanged views on the entire gamut of bilateral relationship including CPEC and bilateral economic and financial cooperation.
Reiterating support to China on core issues, the Prime Minister appreciated China’s unflinching support to Pakistan’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and socio-economic development. He noted that China’s firm opposition to holding any G20 meeting in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir reflected China’s principled stance for upholding international law and UN resolutions.
In his remarks, Vice-President Han said that Pakistan-China friendship is unique and has withstood the vicissitude of time due to deep fraternal ties between the peoples of two nations. He added that as a close neighbour and iron-brother, Pakistan occupies a special position in China’s neighbourhood diplomacy and that China would continue its efforts for safeguarding Pakistan’s core interests and for the economic development and prosperity of the people of Pakistan.
Expressing satisfaction at the steady development of CPEC projects in Pakistan, the two sides agreed on the centrality of CPEC for Pakistan’s socio-economic development and expressed their firm commitment to continue working together for realizing its shared objectives. The two leaders also expressed satisfaction at the celebratory events held in both countries to mark the 10th anniversary of CPEC. They also agreed to further deepening their cooperation at the multilateral fora.
Meanwhile, PM Kakar and Vice-President Han agreed to continue the momentum of high level exchanges between Pakistan and China. The Prime Minister invited Chinese Vice-President to undertake a visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience which the latter graciously accepted.
He was participating in a High-Level Meeting on Global Development Initiative (GDI) Cooperation Outcomes held on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The GDI was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 20, 2022. In his remarks, the Prime Minister highlighted that progress towards achieving the SDGs has suffered a serious setback due to the poly crises of COVID, conflict and climate change.
He expressed Pakistan’s support for the GDI and commended the milestones achieved in its implementation, the most recent being the successful launch of the Inter-Agency Task Force on GDI.
And he highlighted the need for action in 5 key areas: food production, infrastructure investment, industrialization, resilient healthcare systems and the bridging the digital divide.
The Prime Minister further highlighted the necessity of adequate and appropriate finance at all levels of the development process and welcomed President Xi’s announcement of the setting up another fund of USD 10 billion dedicated to the implementation of the GDI.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister stated that Pakistan looks forward to enhancing its cooperation with China and other members of the Group of Friends of GDI to realize their collective aspiration for implementation of the SDGs.
The event also heard opening remarks by Mr. Han Zheng, Vice President of China, Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly, and other high-level dignitaries, as well as a video briefing and presentation on GDI cooperation.
