Kakar to meet Putin, others on sidelines of BRF in Beijing

ISLAMABAD:

Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar to meet with Vladmir Putin and Ranil Wickremesinghe, presidents of Russia and Sri Lanka, respectively, during his ongoing visit to Beijing, China. 

On Tuesday, Kakar invited China to invest in solar parks in Pakistan and expressed his government's desire to learn from Chinese models of building industrial parks and special economic zones. 

The caretaker PM arrived in Beijing on Monday to participate in the third Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation. 

He is due to attend a dinner being held in honour of world leaders participating in the forum on the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping besides meeting with a delegation of Chinese think-tanks and scholars, reported state media. 

On parks, climate and CPEC 

Addressing a roundtable in Beijing on Tuesday, Kakar said investments in solar parks would benefit both Pakistan's endeavours towards climate action and its efforts to reduce the energy import bill. 

He emphasized on China and Pakistan's time-tested relationship based on shared interests and mutual interests. “Despite international politics, our friendship has remained steadfast.”

There is no bilateral relationship more important for Pakistan than its friendship with China, asserted the interim PM. 

“This special relation enjoys across-the-board national consensus in Pakistan,” he said. “There should be no doubt that Pakistan would undermine our unique affection for China.”

He referred to China Pakistan Economic Corridor as the manifestation of the two countries' strategic cooperation, noting that the project symbolized coordinated efforts of the both nations to bring their economic and trade relations at par with each other. 

CPEC also symbolises Pak-China's excellent political relations, he opined. 

"CPEC is a transformative project central to advancing our national agenda to sustainable development," said Kakar. The geoeconomic landscape of Pakistan - from Gilgit-Baltistan to the ports of Gwadar and Karachi - has transformed in recent years due to the initiative. 

Pakistan's infrastructure was upgraded and the potential of its large youth population was unleashed under it, he said, adding that it is "already proving to be a catalyst for job creation, poverty alleviation and rural revitalisation giving strength to the vulnerable and underprivileged apart from reaching remote sections of society". 

“I myself come from Balochistan, an underdeveloped province of Pakistan, and generally believe that CPEC is a beacon of development, progress, and prosperity for the people of my province,” said Kakar. 

He added that Pakistan seeks to create new avenues of growth that would benefit the wider region and beyond while stressing that CPEC stands as a symbol of Pak-China strategic trust. 

Pakistan is open to "drawing new partners" who wish to join it in "availing benefits from CPEC", he announced. 

The interim premier apprised that since Chinese Xi Jinping's last visit to the country, Pakistan has added "800kms of roads and motorways into our network injecting more than 8,000MW of energy and generating more than 2,000 new jobs for our people". 

The next phase of CPEC should seek a deeper integration of "our economies with a focus on diversification and innovation," opined Kakar. 

He concluded his speech stressing on skill development and vocational training programs as critical for CPEC's success. 

The caretaker prime minister expressed that the next phase of CPEC should seek a deeper integration of “our economies with a focus on diversification and innovation”.

Concluding his talk, PM Kakar deemed skill development and vocational training programs critical for the success of CPEC.

The interim premier later took to X, formerly Twitter, to state "attended an insightful roundtable in Beijing on CPEC's decade-long journey". 

Attended an insightful roundtable in Beijing on #CPEC's decade-long journey. Proud of the progress we've made, elevating Pakistan's socio-economic landscape and strengthening our bond with China. As we reflect on successes, we're geared up for its next phase, focusing on growth,… pic.twitter.com/f7dMsI18PU

— Anwaar ul Haq Kakar (@anwaar_kakar) October 17, 2023

"Proud of the progress we've made, elevating Pakistan's socio-economic landscape and strengthening our bond with China. As we reflect on successes, we're geared up for its next phase, focusing on growth, innovation, and green development," he added. 

Pak-Kenya 

Moreover, the interim PM met with Kenyan President William Ruto on the sidelines of BRF. 

Had a productive meeting with the President of Kenya @WilliamsRuto on the sidelines of the 3rd Belt and Road Forum. We had fruitful discussions on further strengthening Pakistan-Kenya ties with a focus on deepening economic cooperation. #BRI10Years pic.twitter.com/yyMjspIN1a

— Anwaar ul Haq Kakar (@anwaar_kakar) October 17, 2023