BEIJING: Pakistan and China on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the iron-clad and all-weather strategic cooperative partnership through enhanced cooperation, reflecting their unique bilateral relationship.
The bilateral ties were discussed in a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People here, wherein they agreed that the relationship between their countries was unique and unparalleled which should be reflected in their enhanced bilateral cooperation.
Both leaders also discussed important regional and global developments and agreed to continue close cooperation between Pakistan and China in this regard.
President Xi said that China would continue to assist Pakistan in all fields of economic growth and development, especially as the two countries were now ushering in the second Phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that would focus on Pakistan’s most important economic sectors.
Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed the desire to continue working closely with China for the successful implementation of the next phase of upgraded China Pakistan Economic Corridor, with its five new corridors.
He congratulated President Xi Jinping on the success of the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit in Tianjin and offered his felicitations on the 80th anniversary of World’s Anti-Fascist War.
He appreciated China’s unflinching support to Pakistan’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and socio-economic development, as well as the significance of the CPEC as a flagship project of President Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to help both countries to build an even stronger Pakistan-China community with a shared future.
The prime minister hailed President Xi Jinping’s strong commitment to strengthen multilateralism.
Shehbaz renewed his “most cordial” invitation to President Xi to undertake an official visit to Pakistan next year, when both countries would celebrate the 75th anniversary of establishment of Pakistan-China diplomatic ties.
The prime minister also met Russian President Vladimir Putin, and emphasised that Pakistan attached immense importance to its relations with Russia and said that it was heartening to note that both countries had almost similarity of approaches on various global platforms, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi.
The prime minister conveyed Pakistan’s readiness to enhance bilateral relations with Russia in areas such as trade connectivity, energy, agriculture, investment, defence, artificial intelligence, education, culture and people-to-people exchanges.
He stressed that tangible initiatives such as the flagship project of the proposed Pakistan Steel Mill (PSM) Karachi and investment in connectivity projects would be symbols of Pakistan-Russia friendship for the generations to come.
The prime minister told President Putin, “Your efforts to support Pakistan and create balance in the region are commendable.” He added, “We respect Russia’s relations with India, but Pakistan also desires to strengthen strong ties with Russia. These relations will prove beneficial for the development and prosperity of the region. Your inspiring leadership is extremely important, and we will work together with you.”
Recalling their last meeting in Astana in 2024, both leaders expressed great satisfaction on expanding cooperation and increasing momentum over the course of past one year.
Agreeing with the assessment of the prime minister on bilateral relations, President Vladimir Putin noted the upward trajectory of ties between the two countries.
He also stressed the importance of collaboration in organisations such as the SCO which in turn can serve a major role in regional and global security and stability.
Moreover, he expressed Russia’s commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation with Pakistan across a broad array of subjects.
The two leaders also discussed the situation in South Asia, Afghanistan, the Middle East and Ukraine conflict.
“They also exchanged views on ongoing cooperation at the multilateral forums, as well as on the long-standing issues and disputes of global interest such as Palestine and Kashmir,” it was added.
The Russian president extended a most cordial invitation to the prime minister to undertake an official visit to Russia.
PM Shehbaz also met the Tajikistan president where both leaders expressed their satisfaction on the ongoing cooperation between Pakistan and Tajikistan in all areas of mutual interest.
The two leaders agreed to enhance collaboration in diverse fields, including trade and investment, connectivity, energy, regional security, culture and people-to-people exchanges, a PM Office news release said.
Meanwhile, pausing his engagements in Beijing, the prime minister chaired flood situation and relief operations review meeting and directed the relevant authorities to expedite relief and rehabilitation activities in the flood-affected areas of Punjab and Sindh.
During the meeting the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) chairman, Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief, secretaries and officials from various relevant institutions briefed the prime minister on the current flood conditions and the progress of relief operations.
Shehbaz directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) and the Ministry of Energy to take immediate steps on a priority basis to restore damaged communication and electricity transmission systems affected by the floods.
He emphasised full cooperation among the federal government, provincial governments and all institutions concerned in providing relief to affected families, relocating them to safe areas, and rehabilitating damaged infrastructure.
The prime minister instructed authorities to focus particularly on relief and recovery operations in the flood-affected areas of Punjab and Sindh.
He directed the NDMA chairman to maintain full coordination with Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) and provide all necessary support to the provincial governments.
He also ordered the swift search and recovery of citizens who have gone missing due to the floods.
During the meeting, the prime minster was informed that authorities were continuously monitoring high flood levels in the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers. Regulation of dams and barrages is ongoing in response to the rising water levels in these rivers.
Specific locations experiencing high flood levels or at risk include Trimmu, Balloki, Sidhnai, G S Wala, and Sulemanki along the rivers Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej, the meeting was informed. The NDMA is working closely with provincial administrations and disaster management authorities at these sites.
It was told in the meeting that a severe flood wave was expected at the Panjnad area following inflows from the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers. This flood wave is anticipated to reach the Guddu Barrage by the afternoon of September 6, where the situation is under strict observation. In anticipation of the expected flood wave at Guddu in Sindh, the NDMA is providing full support to the Sindh government for necessary arrangements.
The prime minister was further briefed that rescue operations were actively underway in affected areas with coordinated efforts from Rescue 1122, Pakistan Army, Rangers, NGOs and PDMAs. Relief convoys continue to be dispatched to flood-hit regions.
Restoration of power supply and damaged electricity infrastructure is also progressing rapidly in flood-affected areas, the prime minister was informed.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar participated in the meeting from Beijing, while the NDMA chairman and senior officials from relevant institutions joined via video link from Pakistan.