Dar vows to enhance people to people linkages with China

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to enhance people to people linkages with China to deepen the sentiments of mutual respect, trust and understanding between the two countries.

Delivering his speech at China-Pakistan Political Parties Forum and the Third Meeting of the CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism in Islamabad on Friday, he said Pakistan-China friendship is a relationship of the past, the present and the future.  He said our strategic trust is unshakeable and nothing can undo it.

The Deputy Prime Minister said this meeting is a manifestation of a shared commitment to preserve and protect this relationship from the vagaries of the national, regional and international politics.

Ishaq Dar said there is a complete unanimity amongst all political parties in Pakistan on CPEC's importance for Pakistan's economic growth and sustainable development.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the CPEC is not merely a symbol of Pakistan-China friendship. It is a shining emblem of a new vision for international cooperation. He said the people of Pakistan will never forget China's support in crucial times.

Referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's recent visit to China, Ishaq Dar said there was renewed consensus on upgradation of the corridor project.  He said we are prioritizing industry, modern agriculture, Information Technology and mining and minerals.

In his remarks on the occasion, Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Liu Jianchao said his country is determined to build the upgraded version of CPEC.

He said China and Pakistan will always stand shoulder to shoulder to forge a stronger and more solid all weather strategic partnership.

Liu Jianchao said the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China will invite three hundred representatives of political parties to visit Pakistan in the next three years. He said we should create more platforms for China Pakistan practical cooperation to better design our national development strategies.

He said we are also ready to work with the political parties of Pakistan to promote exchanges at different levels including the youth, media, think tanks and academia to pass on this friendship to future generations.

Liu Jianchao said the determination of our leaders to strengthen the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership sends out a clear signal to the rest of the world that China Pakistan friendship is unbreakable.  He said both the countries enjoy a solid foundation and there are great prospects of synergizing development strategies and strengthen the mutually beneficial cooperation.

In his remarks, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal stressed that CPEC serves as a beacon of stability, regional integration, and economic interdependence. He said the development of Gwadar Port, a crucial component of CPEC, was noted for its strategic significance, providing China direct access to the Arabian Sea and promising economic revitalization for Pakistan. He said Phase II of CPEC aims to enhance Pakistan's manufacturing capacity through industrial cooperation, attracting Chinese investment, and relocating industrial units to Special Economic Zones.

Ahsan Iqbal said the two countries have agreed to expedite initiatives for modernizing Pakistan's agricultural sector with advanced technologies. Cooperation will also extend to B2B links, industrial cooperation, science and technology, artificial intelligence, and exploration of offshore oil and gas resources.

The Minister for Planning said the Government is committed to ensuring the security of Chinese personnel working in Pakistan. He said measures have been implemented to provide foolproof security, and continuous updates are shared with the Chinese Embassy regarding these actions.