Islamabad, 28 May 2024, (GNP): PM Shehbaz Sharif extended an invitation to Chinese companies, particularly those in the textile industry, to set up factories in Pakistan, assuring them that the government would offer full support and facilities to Chinese entrepreneurs and investors.
Prime Minister emphasized China’s significance as a crucial partner in Pakistan’s economic progress during a high-level review meeting.
He highlighted Beijing’s pivotal role in Islamabad’s economic development and expressed a commitment to enhancing cooperation in agriculture, information technology (IT), and energy sectors, as well as bolstering exports to China.
The meeting, attended by Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and other senior officials, also focused on the government’s preparations for the upcoming second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
“Gwadar port will be made a logistics hub with Chinese cooperation […] the establishment of Agriculture Demonstration Zones will be an important project in the next phase of CPEC,” he said.
Highlighting the potential for China to assist Pakistan in devising a strategy to boost its exports, Prime Minister instructed relevant ministries to develop new projects aimed at strengthening Pakistan-China cooperation and to take steps to foster business-to-business relationships.
This directive was issued during the review meeting. The timing of the meeting is significant as Prime Minister Shehbaz is scheduled to make his inaugural visit to China in the second week of June, following an invitation from President Xi Jinping.
Prime Minister assured foolproof security for Chinese citizens in Pakistan, stating that a comprehensive security plan has been devised to ensure their safety.
His statement follows Beijing’s reaffirmation of its commitment to collaborate with Pakistani authorities to enhance security cooperation and protect Chinese personnel.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated this commitment during a press conference, expressing support for Pakistan’s investigation into the Dasu attack and pledging to assist in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
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Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in a joint press conference with National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Necta) officials, urged Afghanistan to extradite the militants responsible for the attack, which claimed the lives of at least six people, including five Chinese nationals, in Bisham.
“Pakistan has formally] requested the interim government in Afghanistan to arrest the leadership of [banned] TTP,” he said.
NECTA head Tahir Rai disclosed that the vehicle laden with explosives, which targeted the bus transporting Chinese nationals, entered Pakistan from Afghanistan. He also mentioned that 11 suspects have been apprehended in connection with the incident.
In response to the tragic attack, the federal cabinet has endorsed the Economic Coordination Committee’s (ECC) proposal to allocate $2.58 million as compensation for the families of the Chinese victims of the Dasu attack.
