Sanjrani urges China to expedite work on NGIA

Senate chairman assures Foreign Minister Yi of continuity of policy regarding CPEC

BEIJING: Senate Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani has said the Pakistan government hopes to learn from the invaluable experience of China in economic development, poverty alleviation, anti-graft campaigns and many other areas.

In a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Senate chairman said, “The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has across-the-board political and institutional support in Pakistan and CPEC projects are progressing smoothly.”



He also observed that Pakistan hopes that work on New Gwadar International Airport and other social welfare projects would also accelerate with Chinese assistance.

Sanjrani, who is visiting China on the invitation of Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Wang Yang and leading a multiparty and multi-region delegation of senators and businessmen, assured the Chinese foreign minister of continuity of policy and commitment to CPEC and other bilateral cooperation in the wake of change of political leadership in the country.
Pakistan Ambassador to China, Masood Khalid was also present during the meeting.



Sanjrani said, “Friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy and the consensus of all parties.”
The chairman asked for concerted efforts for the uplift of Gwadar and other areas of Balochistan on which success of CPEC was dependent and also urged to undertake socioeconomic development projects in Gwadar.
The Senate chairman said that Pakistan and China are "iron friends" who have stood the test of time and huge changes and challenges in the region and the international arena.

He assured of Pakistan's continued diplomatic support to the legitimate concerns of China and urged China to play an enhanced role in alleviating the sufferings and human rights violations of innocent Kashmiris in Indian occupied areas.

"We are looking forward to seeing China continuing to play a positive role in improving neighbouring countries’ relationship," he noted.

CPEC progress will not be hurt: ICST  

The Chinese foreign minister said that China and Pakistan should jointly push forward the construction of CPEC and constantly enrich the connotation of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.
He said no matter how the international and regional situations change, China will firmly adhere to the policy of friendship with Pakistan.

"CPEC, a landmark project of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Pakistan, will certainly help Pakistan develop its economy, improving its people's livelihood," he added.
Wang Yi hailed the successful general elections held in Pakistan.
Yi said, "It is believed that under the leadership of the new government, Pakistan will make new achievements in national construction."

During the meeting, both sides agreed that the CPEC had added an economic dimension to the already excellent bilateral strategic relationship between the two countries.