File photo of CM Shahbaz Sharif. PHOTO: INP/FILE
“Pak-China friendship is higher than the Himalayas, deeper than oceans, sweeter than honey and stronger than steel,” he said.
He said China’s investment in Pakistan would strengthen trade relations between the two countries.
He was addressing a function arranged in honour of Sun Weidong, the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan.
Sharif said China had helped Pakistan and its people in times of crises, including earthquakes, floods or other natural calamities.
He said China had supported Pakistan’s position at every international forum.
He mentioned various projects including the Heavy Mechanical Complex, Chashma Nuclear Power Plant and Karakoram Highway.
He said Pakistan would be rid of load-shedding and put on the road to progress through cooperation with China. He said expectations of both the Chinese government and the people of Pakistan would be fulfilled.
He said that China had also supported Pakistan in the defence sector.
Sharif said his recent visit to China had been the most successful of his political career.
He said that Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong had played a key role in the visit’s success. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, work would be carried out round the clock on the projects to be implemented with the China. He said energy and infrastructure projects would be completed expediently.
Weidong said Sharif had played a significant role in strengthening friendship between Pakistan and China, and was very active in setting the course of Pak-China cooperation. He said China was ready to help Pakistan become an Asian Tiger. He said the construction of an economic corridor was a very important project, which would provide trade corridors to several countries.
He said cooperation in energy, transport and infrastructure sectors would also result in the increase in trade volume between the two countries. He said three working groups had been formed for the speedy implementation of these projects.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2014.
COMMENTS (11)
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@Ch. Allah Daad: You are right; Listen to those people who are against Chinese investment and the Sharif's handling of Pakistan - they are so worried about kickbacks but they don't care about the nation. Instead they are jealous. This makes me sure that the people of Pakistan were right to elect Nawaz Sharif. Pakistan is getting positive media reports in the world and the economy is improving. With the investment of Chinese, things will only keep getting better so this is what scares the people who are against Pakistan. Compare cities in Punjab with other cities in Pakistan and the answer is clear that Sharifs at least are improving the country.
@Humza: @Dr.Aftab Have you thought about the kickbacks that can be reaped through these projects. And if projects can be given to your kith n kin....Certainly the country will get infrastructure but some people will get richer than the state... which they already are. Ghreeb mulk kay ameer awaam! May be you don't mind it.
The prime minister of Punjab speak...
@ Fi
I agree nepotism is a big evil in our country but We have to move ahead even presence of such evils. If something good is happening for our country, we should appreciate it.
I like the commitment and professionalism of CM Shahbaz Sharif. I congratulate him for rising the hope of progress in Punjab which I wish spread all across my motherland.
@Fi: If there are investments in a developing country which improve the overall economy, bring much needed electricity, improve infrastructure and raise the standard of living for all, why should it bother you? If anything, these type of investments help all citizens and it is exactly what Pakistan needs. It should make all citizens happy and not just a "clan".
the words used to describe pak-china ties are always cringeworthy
can we please take back aksai chin from china with all the money we will now have?
It is indeed an historic achievement. $32 billion investment in energy will change a lot of things in next 5 years.
Sharif Brothers have avoided a certain civil war, saved Pakistan from total collapse and now with Chinese investments, nation will move forward to peace and prosperity. 20 Billion dollars investment in energy sector only is just a begining.
Bilateral ties...between China and Sharif Brothers. Has he found Alladin's lamp to multiply their wealth? What else can make him so happy! These politicians are so self centered especially Sharif family does not think beyond their clan.
Will usher in a new era of "Colonization".Pakistanis should be getting ready for slavery Balochistan Gwadar and Gilgit Baltistan is already gone to China, more in the near future.The good thing about colonisation is that, when it happens, the people are confused and they dont know its happening.Like the East India company in India.India too would not want to waste time to claim some resource rich population-less areas of Pakistan.