PM seeks Chinese expertise to promote IT industry, boost exports

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said that Pakistan wanted to benefit from the Chinese experiences to promote its Information Technology sector and boost exports.

He was talking to a delegation of the representatives of the Chinese companies which called on him at the PM House.

The prime minister, while welcoming the delegation, said China and Pakistan enjoyed long-standing brotherly relations that were further strengthening with the passage of time.

“China has an important role in Pakistan’s development. It has always helped Pakistan in difficult times for which the entire nation, including me, is grateful to the Chinese leadership and the people,” he said.

He emphasised that the security and protection of the Chinese workers and citizens was the top priority of the government. “The government has taken all possible measures to ensure foolproof security of the Chinese citizens in Pakistan,” he said, adding that in that regard a comprehensive plan had been prepared.

The prime minister also directed the authorities concerned to resolve all the issues of the Chinese companies in Pakistan. During the meeting, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal briefed the prime minister about meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee of CPEC.

He said it was agreed in the meeting that the up-gradation of the Pakistan Railways Main Line 1 (ML-1), realignment of Karakoram Highway, establishment of Special Economic Zones, Gwadar port and Agriculture Demonstration Zones would be the prioritised projects of the second phase of CPEC.

Meanwhile, as the country observed the first International Day of the Markhor on Friday (May 24), the prime minister called for the efforts to protect the national animal of Pakistan and other species which enrich the planet’s biodiversity.