Pakistan, China all weather partners: Shibli

ISLAMABAD: The Leader of the House in the Senate, Syed Shibli Faraz, said on Thursday that Pakistan and China were all weather strategic cooperative partners and both had a shared vision for regional growth and prosperity.

He said this while talking to the Vice Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) here at Parliament House. Gao Yunlong, currently visiting Pakistan, along with, his delegation. Shibli said that Pakistan will continue to adhere to One China Policy and support China on all core issues.

He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan also appreciates China’s contribution towards regional development and his visit to China last year further reaffirmed our traditional friendship. He expressed his satisfaction that inter-parliamentary linkages have increased and there is need to bring the people of two sides more close to push forward development agenda.

Shibli emphasised the need to enhance and strengthen institutional linkages between the two parliaments and the friendship groups can play active role in cementing ties. On bilateral friendship, Senator Shibli said that Pakistan’s political parties speak with one voice for deepening ties with China.

He said that Pakistan attaches great importance to China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and is committed to it early completion. He stressed that Pakistan is trying to expand cooperation under CPEC on socio-economic development, agriculture cooperation, industrial capacity, job creation, poverty alleviation, trade and commerce, besides, broadening Special Economic Zones base.

Diplomatic, Political and economic ties have always remained on a positive trajectory and both sides have complemented each other at all international forums. Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani, besides Senators Gen (R) Salahuddin Tirmizi, Sitara Ayaz, Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, Sherry Rehman, Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Mian Muhammad Ateeq Sheikh and Shahzad Wasim were also present during the meeting.

Members of the Senate from Pakistani side termed friendship with China most important and said that Pakistan places bilateral relations with China at high esteem and there is huge scope to further broaden the cordial relations.

They expressed the confidence that the visit would further pave the way for enhanced linkages at different levels. Leader of the Chinese delegation said that China values its ties with Pakistan, and it is one of the shining examples of close neighborly ties. He said that China would further encourage Chinese investment in Pakistan.