Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Mr. Yao Jing, Ambassador of People’s Republic of China called on Senator Shibli Faraz, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting here on Wednesday
The Minister on the occasion lauded the continued Chinese assistance to Pakistan for combating the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it was another manifestation of the deep-rooted, time tested Pak China friendship.
Information Minister said that the Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan had taken a number of measures to combat COVID-19 and at the same time accorded due consideration to helping out the needy and providing support to the small businesses, industries, especially construction industry which provided sustenance to thousands of daily wage workers.
Ambassador Yao Jing appreciated Pakistan’s singular drive to fight off the Covid 19 challenge. He said China would keep up its support to Pakistan at this critical juncture. He expressed China’s intention for investment in labor intensive sectors in Pakistan, particularly Prime Minister’s affordable housing program with a view to bolster the government’s efforts to help the poor and deserving. The Minister welcomed the initiative and said low cost housing was among Government’s priorities. He said investment in labor intensive sectors would help generate multiple job opportunities in the country. He said full facilitation would be extended to the Chinese side for such investment. Mr. Yao Jing while reaffirming resolve to resume cultural and media exchanges between the two countries as stipulated under the ambit of existing MoUs, made special mention of the proposed Pak-China joint co-production agreement which was at draft stage. The Minister welcomed the idea of resuming media and cultural exchanges once the conditions got better. He said the goal of enhanced media cooperation would be vigorously pursued. He said the proposed agreement on co-production was under process and once the draft was finalized, it would be shared with the Chinese side. The Chinese Ambassador also on the occasion congratulated Senator Shibli Faraz for assuming responsibilities as Minister for Information and Broadcasting and wished him the best in his future endeavor. The minister thanked him for the kind sentiments.
