Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will pay a four-day visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, a Foreign Office (FO) spokesman said on Friday.
At a weekly press conference, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Buluch said the prime minister would visit Xi’an and Chengdu before heading to Beijing for delegation-level discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
He said his agenda included meetings with National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) Chairman Zhao Leji and heads of major government departments.
The FO spokesperson said that the frequent visits between the two countries are proof of the “iron-clad” friendship.
He also said that the discussion will focus on enhancing “weather-related strategic cooperation”, improving the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), increasing bilateral trade and expanding cooperation in various sectors including space, defence, energy, science and technology . education
The spokesman also said that in recent talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Afghan authorities are confident of their ability to take action against those involved in the Besham incident.
The FO also informed that Pakistani officials are in touch with the US authorities regarding the upcoming cricket matches in the US to ensure the security of the Pakistan cricket team.
The spokesman said that Pakistan expects US officials to expand security measures for Pakistan cricketers during the match.
PM held B2B meeting in China
Last week, the Prime Minister chaired a meeting to review plans for his visit to China.
During the session, he was instructed to develop a detailed plan to conduct productive business meetings between the two countries.
He ordered relevant agencies to formulate a strategy aimed at attracting Chinese industry to set up business in Pakistan, assuring full support and facilitation from the government.
The delegation plans to hold discussions with the Chinese business community to promote business relations between Pakistan and China.
The Prime Minister invited the Pakistani Ambassador to China to extend comprehensive assistance to the Pakistani business delegation during their visit.
Pakistan condemns India’s pressure on IOC
In a weekly briefing, the spokesperson highlighted concerns about the Indian government’s crackdown on dissidents in illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
He pointed to the recent incident of sealing properties like land and shops belonging to two Kashmiri youths in Shogran district.
“The people of Kashmir must be free to exercise their right to self-determination through UN Security Council resolutions,” he said.
The spokesman said Indian authorities seized a total of 100 properties on false claims as a punitive measure against Kashmiri activists.
“India must stop its campaign to detain political activists and terrorize the people of Kashmir,” the FO spokesperson said.
Additionally, the headquarters of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) in Srinagar was reportedly sealed.
“Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers for a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir conflict in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.”
The FO spokesperson pointed to several bilateral talks held last week.
The 4th round of bilateral political consultations between Pakistan and Greece was held in Athens on May 29. The Pakistani delegation was led by Ambassador Shafquat Ali Khan, while Greece was represented by the Director General of Politics.
The FO spokesperson said the two sides are committed to developing high-level dialogue and cooperation.
Meanwhile, in New York, Pakistan and Saint Lucia inaugurated diplomatic relations at a ceremony held at the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations (UN).
The spokesperson said the agreement to establish diplomatic relations was signed by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Munir Akram, and his counterpart in Saint Lucia.
Earlier in the week, on May 27, the 6th round of Pakistan-Hungary bilateral political talks was held in Budapest.
The Pakistani delegation was led by Ambassador Shafquat, while the Hungarian delegation was led by the Deputy Secretary of State.
The FO spokesperson said that in the last three years, Pakistan has established diplomatic relations with Palau, Kiribati, Dominican Republic, St Kitts and Nevis and the Dominican Commonwealth. He said this decision shows Pakistan’s determination to strengthen diplomatic ties
