Imran stresses early start of work on ML-1

Prime Minister Imran Khan stressed on Tuesday that the early start of work on the Main Line (ML)-1 railway project would complement Pakistan’s geo-economics vision for national and regional development.

Prime Minister Imran spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping by telephone and welcomed Chinese investments in the special economic zones established under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

During the conversation, the prime minister “underscored that early start of work on the ML-1 railway project would complement Pakistan’s geo-economics vision for national and regional development”, the statement said.

Both sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral economic and commercial ties, including fully realising the potential offered by the Phase-II of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement to overcome economic headwinds, it added.

Imran congratulated President Xi on the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the unprecedented victory of the Chinese people in the battle to eradicate poverty, and appreciated China’s stellar development in four decades of reform and opening up.

Read China 'pleased' as CPEC enters stage of high-quality development

“The Prime Minister lauded the successful, timely and high-quality implementation of the CPEC projects, and welcomed Chinese investments in the CPEC Special Economic Zones,” Prime Minister Imran also appreciated China’s leading role in combating climate change,” the statement said.

Imran briefed Xi on Pakistan’s wide-ranging measures for climate change mitigation and adaptation, including the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Initiative. The two leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the relevant areas and to promote CPEC’s green development.

The press release further stated that the prime minister appreciated China’s successful containment of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as relief and assistance measures for the developing countries, including the vaccine cooperation with Pakistan.

“The two leaders also felicitated each other on the important milestone of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, reviewed the entire gamut of the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership, and discussed the regional and international situation.”

Regarding Afghanistan, both leaders called on the international community to provide immediate humanitarian and economic assistance to the Afghan people to alleviate their suffering, prevent instability and flight of people, as well as continued engagement for the rebuilding of the country.

Imran stressed the need for continuing with the momentum of high-level exchanges to further diversify “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” between the two countries. Imran renewed his invitation to President Xi to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.

(WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)