Mutual cooperation: China is a role model for Pakistan: Hamza Shahbaz

Six members of the Communist Party of China visit the PML-N secretariat.

LAHORE:

Members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Communist Party of China (CPC) decided on Sunday to strengthen party contact and work together on matters of mutual interest. Six members of the CPC, led by CPC Vice Minister Chen Fengxiang, called on MNA Hamza Shahbaz Sharif at the party secretariat.

Saira Afzal Tarar, Anousha Rehman, Saranjam Khan, Sardar Yaqoob Khan Nasir and Saood Majeed of the PML-N were present at the occasion.

Sharif welcomed the delegation and discussed measures taken by the state to root out terrorism and all its manifestations. He said decisive military action was underway.



He spoke of Pakistan and China’s “all-weather friendship” and said their relations would receive meaningful expression once the Economic Corridor was developed.

Sharif said the PML-N government had taken solid measures to empower the youth of Pakistan. He said several soft-loan programmes and skill development projects had been initiated in this regard. Among the programmes underway were business loans, and offering land for cultivation and tractors on instalments. Sharif said these projects were aimed at providing the youth opportunities to stand on their own feet. They would also prevent the youth from being swayed or lured by extremist elements into working for them, he said.

“China is a role model for Pakistan,” he said. Pakistan admired China’s speedy development, he said, “we too are striving for progress and the prosperity of our people”.

Sharif told the delegation that the PML-N believed in establishing the writ of the state, ensuring checks and balances and accountability of state functionaries. He discussed the party’s history, its structure and offices with the delegates. “The people of Pakistan are looking forward to welcoming the Chinese president.”

Fengxiang offered his condolence on the tragic incident of terrorism in Peshawar on Tuesday. He said the CPC shared a special bond with the PML-N. The members of the CPC expressed interest in furthering cooperation between the two countries and suggested greater institutional exchange between members of both political parties so they could benefit from each other’s experiences.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2014.