Chinese investment to give impetus to Pakistan’s economic growth: PM Kakar

Islamabad: Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar on Monday expressed the confidence that Chinese private entities will make investments in second phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor project, with a focus on relocating industries and fostering cooperation in the agricultural and mining sectors.

The caretaker prime minister said the Chinese investment would give impetus to our economic growth.

He was addressing a news conference regarding his recent visit to China.

 Describing his talks with the Chinese leadership as highly fruitful and constructive, the Prime Minister said Pakistan and China have ironclad friendship and all weather strategic partnership.

He said there is a desire on both sides to further enhance their engagement and deepen this relationship.

He said we have returned home from China with three slogans of consultation, cooperation and coordination and our focus will remain on it to further expand the bilateral cooperation.

The Prime Minister pointed out that twenty agreements were signed during his visit to Beijing. He said it is after a long time that such a big number of MOUs were signed. He said a mechanism has also been worked out to ensure implementation of these agreements as well as the signed previously.

Anwaar ul Haq Kakar said there is also a great potential of cooperation between the media of two countries.

Responding to a question about his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Prime Minister said Pakistan desires better connectivity in the changing geo-strategic environment and it was in this connection that the meeting was held.                          

He said foreign relations between countries continue to change, there are times that the relations get frailed, but then the countries do have to cooperate in changing circumstances.                                                                                

To a question whether agreements with China will be continued by the next elected government, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said it is the state not individuals or politicians who sign them, therefore governments should implement the agreements for credibility in the international sphere.                                       

He said continuity of policies is inevitable for continuity of development process.                       

Replying to another question about repatriation of illegal nationals including Afghans, the Prime Minister said we only want to regulate the movement between Afghanistan and Pakistan so that only individuals with valid documents can move between the two countries.                                       

About Palestine, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar said Pakistan has already disbursed aid through Rafah corridor via Egypt and we have understanding with Egypt in this regard.      

He said on cessation of hostilities, Pakistan is working in collaboration with all stakeholders and regional and international players.                     

To a question about Arshad Sharif murder case, the Prime Minister said he talked to Kenyan President about this and he has expressed sound commitment that the Kenyan government will try its best to find the culprits and address the weaknesses on their part.

The Prime Minister said the investigation and its follow up is one of the top priorities of our foreign office and it is pursuing it diligently.