ISLAMABAD:  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has affirmed the resolve to fast-track the ongoing and new projects under the transformational China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for socio-economic development of Pakistan.

 

He expressed this resolve during his telephonic conversation with his Chinese Counterpart Li Keqiang on Monday. Shehbaz Sharif said CPEC has immensely contributed to the socio-economic development of Pakistan and also realize its high-quality development.

 

The Prime Minister underscored the need for both sides to work together and enhance cooperation between the concerned agencies of the two countries to fully operationalize the Special Economic Zones at an early date.

 

While recalling Pakistan-China sister-city partnerships, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his desire to learn from the experience of those Chinese officials who have remained instrumental in setting up SEZs in their provinces.

 

He also expressed his commitment to working with renewed zeal and enthusiasm, in concert with China, especially on projects of strategic significance for both the countries, such as ML-1 project. While emphasizing people-to-people contacts, Shehbaz Sharif also conveyed sentiments of the families of the Pakistani students who are desirous of retuning to China for resumption of their studies.

 

He also offered his condolences to the Government and people of China and expressed sympathies with the families of victims of the heinous terrorist attack that took place at the Karachi University on April 26, in which three Chinese scholars lost their lives.

 

The Prime Minister strongly condemned the terrorist attack and reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm resolve to hold thorough investigation, to apprehend the perpetrators of this criminal act and to bring them to justice in accordance with our laws.

 

He reiterated that Islamabad attaches the highest importance to the safety, security and protection of all Chinese nationals working in Pakistan on economic projects and institutions. The Prime Minister assured Primer Li that his Government is determined to take all necessary measures for their enhanced security and safety in Pakistan.

 

The two Prime Ministers also discussed in detail bilateral matters, while agreeing that Pakistan and China would not allow anyone to harm the time-tested All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two countries. The Prime Minister thanked China for its firm support to Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national development and reaffirmed his government’s unwavering support to China on all issues of its core interest.

 

Premier Li assured Shehbaz Sharif of China’s readiness to enhance economic cooperation, expand trade and encourage greater investments from China to Pakistan. Both the leaders shared the view that the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership must continue to serve the vital interests of the peoples of the two countries, as well as the broader interests of peace and stability amidst the evolving regional and global milieu. To this end, the two sides agreed to enhance the momentum of exchanges to take bilateral cooperation to even higher levels.