Chinese envoy calls on Gen Bajwa

Chinese envoy to Pakistan Nong Rong called on Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday to discuss matters pertaining to regional security and bilateral cooperation, said a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

During the meeting at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, Gen Bajwa said that Pakistan remained committed to cooperating with its international partners for peace in the region.

The Chinese envoy also thanked COAS Bajwa for special measures taken for the provision of a safe and secure environment to CPEC projects in Pakistan and efforts towards regional stability.

The visiting dignitary expressed satisfaction over progress on CPEC and reaffirmed the need for timely completion of remaining projects.

Pakistan has decided to compensate the 36 Chinese nationals, who died and were injured in a terrorist attack last year -- aimed at removing a major irritant in bilateral relations.

A total of 10 Chinese nationals lost their lives and another 26 were hurt in a suicide attack on a bus that was carrying them to the worksite of the Dasu Hydropower Project in July last year.

Work on CPEC has slowed down considerably over the past three and half years and there is no new project approved by both the sides under the project’s framework.