PM chairs key meeting ahead of China visit

Stresses need to strengthen bilateral ties, cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday held a consultative meeting with senior cabinet members to discuss his all-important visit to China next month.

Issues related to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects also came under discussion. The meeting was attended by foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, finance minister Asad Umar, planning minister Khusro Bukhtiar, power minister Omar Ayub Khan, information minister Fawad Chaudhry, advisors to PM on reforms and commerce, and other senior officers of various ministries and divisions.

According to a statement issued by the PM Office, PM Imran said strengthening all-weather Pakistan China strategic cooperative partnership was cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and early implementation of CPEC projects would help realise true potential of Pak-China economic relations not only for the two countries but for the entire region.



The premier said CPEC was a great opportunity to learn from the Chinese experience especially in social sector, agriculture and other areas. He said agricultural output of the country, considered as the backbone of economy, can be enhanced manifold by learning from their expertise and employing latest technologies.

He also emphasised the need to focus on early establishment of Special Economic Zones in various parts of the country which would help the local industry to grow through industrialisation and would also create huge employment opportunities for the youth.

The prime minister said that the flagship China Pakistan Economic Corridor under BRI initiative of President Xi Jinping also offered opportunities to other countries to invest in CPEC projects and reap benefits in various sectors.

During his recent visit to Balochistan, he had said CPEC project were being reviewed to safeguard rights of the people of all provinces.

“Progress of the country is linked with development of Balochistan. The federal government will extend all possible cooperation to Balochistan to overcome its financial crisis and eliminate poverty. Balochistan would be paid more than its due share in the CPEC projects,” PM Khan has said.