ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif sheds light on major progress in Pakistan amid initiatives launched under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
PM Sharif after landing in China appeared in an interview with China Media Group and he highlighted the country’s economic advancements closely linked to multi-billion-dollar CPEC. Shehbaz also praised Chinese President Xi Jinping’s One Belt One Road project, highlighting the importance of global peace for progress and prosperity.
Regarding abundant coal reserves in Thar, the Prime Minister was of view that utilizing coal for electricity generation is not only cost-effective compared to furnace oil but also reduces the need for coal imports, resulting in substantial savings.
He further expressed appreciation to President Xi Jinping for the substantial investment in Pakistan through CPEC and mentioned that the project is transitioning into a new phase with a focus on business-to-business relations.
Shehbaz Sharif also expressed interest in leveraging China’s expertise in agro-based projects, intending to collaborate with Chinese firms in this area.
Pakistan-China friendship unshakable
Ahead of his visit, PM Shehbaz told media that Pakistan and China are two iron brothers, saying the friendship is unshakable and our hearts beat together.
Sharif also expressed his gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping for his congratulations on becoming prime minister and highlighted the importance of learning from China’s model of poverty alleviation. He said that Pakistan hopes to promote economic cooperation with China, including joint ventures, technology transfer, and increased trade.
Islamabad is also willing to work with iron friend Beijing on various initiatives, including the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, which aim to promote peace and prosperity globally.
He further praised China’s role in promoting Pakistan’s business, industry, and agriculture, and expressed his country’s willingness to issue Panda bonds and expand Chinese yuan transactions. He also emphasized the importance of cultural exchanges between the two countries, including language learning and tourism.
Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif lands in China for key economic talks
