Caretaker PM to visit Beijing on Tuesday to attend 3rd Belt & Road Forum: FM

Islamabad: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, is undertaking a visit to Beijing to participate in the third Belt and Road Forum from Tuesday.

This was stated by Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, while briefing media in Islamabad on Sunday.

Jalil Abbas Jilani said the Prime Minister will also address the high-level forum with a theme of "Connectivity in an Open Global Economy".

He said the Prime Minister will have bilateral meetings with the Chinese leadership, including President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and other leading personalities. Besides, he will meet with the participating global leaders, who are coming to attend the third BRF.

The Foreign Minister said meetings with top Chinese businessmen, including heads of large corporations and business giants are also on the cards. These meetings will discuss the cooperation that can be forged, including joint ventures in Pakistan.  He further said that a number of agreements and Memorandums of Understanding will be signed during the visit. The possible MoUs will be signed in the areas of agriculture, health, industry, green energy, and space technology.

The Foreign Minister highlighted that the visit will help strengthen bilateral relations between Pakistan and China and provides an opportunity to review the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation, including China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Jalil Abbas Jilani after concluding activities in Beijing, the Prime Minister will visit the Chinese Province of Xinjiang, which is the main artery of CPEC. He said Xinjiang is an important region, which borders Pakistan and connects China with eight other countries as well.  He said the Prime Minister, during his stay in the region, will address the Xinjiang University and interact with the business community of the province. Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar will also say his Friday prayer at the Grand Mosque of Xinjiang.

Talking about the evolving situation in Gaza, the Foreign Minister said an Extra-Ordinary Emergency Meeting of the Executive Committee of the OIC is being held in Jeddah on Wednesday to discuss the situation in Palestine. He said will represent Pakistan at the forum.

The Foreign Minister said Israel has committed an aggression and conducted airstrikes on the civilian population, resulting in the death of innocent civilians, including women and children. He said Pakistan condemns the siege of Gaza. He said people have no water, food and health facility, which creates a humanitarian crisis. He said Israel is committing a genocide against the poor people of Palestine.

Jalil Abbas Jilani demanded of Israel to respect the international law and UN Security Council resolutions on Palestine, recognizing Palestinians' right to self-determination. He said it is also a result of seven decades of illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories by Israel that must be vacated and UN resolutions must be respected. He said any attempt to equate Israel's aggression to that of Palestinians' struggle is unacceptable to Pakistan.

Maintaining Pakistan's stance, the Foreign Minister said Palestinians' right to self-determination must be respected and Palestine should be given a status of separate and independent state, accepted by not only Israel but also the international community with pre-1967 borders with Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Answering a question, the Foreign Minister said Pakistan is in touch with the relevant quarters, including the United Nations and other aid agencies to provide humanitarian assistance to the besieged people of Gaza.

Replying to another question about New Delhi's delaying tactics in issuing visas to Pakistani spectators, who are wishing to watch the cricket World Cup matches being held in India, Jalil Abbas Jilani said India has violated the international norms by not letting Pakistani cricket lovers and media persons to enjoy and cover the sport live from the ground.

He said the Foreign Office and the Pakistan Cricket Board have raised this matter with the relevant Indian authorities, through diplomatic channels. He said it is a matter of grave concern for Pakistan and Islamabad will continue to press this issue with the Indian authorities. He said it is condemnable and unfortunate that India has set a wrong precedent by politicizing a sporting event.