Investment from China not a loan, PM clarifies
Says PML-N's victory in cantonment elections is great for the party
PHOTO: AFP
LONDON:
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif clarified on Wednesday that the recent investment from China was not a loan.
"This is not a long-term grant or a loan. It is all for investment purposes which will benefit the country as a whole," the premier told media persons from London.
Read: Investing with confidence: Chinese say their money is safe in Pakistan
On his visit to Pakistan last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping launched energy and infrastructure projects worth $46 billion.
The prime minister expressed gratitude for the investment into the country and reiterated the importance of the country's relationship with China.
"Roads will be built, there is a lot of development in Gwadar and the country as a whole will reap the benefits of these projects," he said.
Read: Pakistan high on Chinese diplomatic agenda: Xi Jinping
Commenting on the recent death of prominent rights activist Sabeen Mahmud, PM Nawaz was adamant that every effort was being made to find the culprits behind her murder.
"Every effort is being made to investigate the incident and God willing, the culprits will be found and brought to justice," he said.
Read: Investigators draw blank in Sabeen Mahmud murder case
Further, the premier mentioned Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) success in the recent cantonment elections. Unofficial results revealed that PML-N had bagged 68 out of the 199 seats in the elections which were held across the country on Saturday.
Read: PML-N leads Cantonment Board Elections: unofficial results
"This win was great for PML-N", the prime minister said adding that "such a win in the general elections would also be great for the party."
When questioned on the alleged rigging in the 2013 elections and the judicial commission's probe, the premier said that the evidence regarding rigging is present in the ballot bags.
"They wanted to open the bags and they did. In Lahore, our votes in fact increased," PM Nawaz said.
Read: London visit: Pakistan's economy turning around, says PM
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is in London on an official visit during which he is set to discuss the emerging issue in the Middle East with his British counterpart, David Cameron.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif clarified on Wednesday that the recent investment from China was not a loan.
"This is not a long-term grant or a loan. It is all for investment purposes which will benefit the country as a whole," the premier told media persons from London.
Read: Investing with confidence: Chinese say their money is safe in Pakistan
On his visit to Pakistan last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping launched energy and infrastructure projects worth $46 billion.
The prime minister expressed gratitude for the investment into the country and reiterated the importance of the country's relationship with China.
"Roads will be built, there is a lot of development in Gwadar and the country as a whole will reap the benefits of these projects," he said.
Read: Pakistan high on Chinese diplomatic agenda: Xi Jinping
Commenting on the recent death of prominent rights activist Sabeen Mahmud, PM Nawaz was adamant that every effort was being made to find the culprits behind her murder.
"Every effort is being made to investigate the incident and God willing, the culprits will be found and brought to justice," he said.
Read: Investigators draw blank in Sabeen Mahmud murder case
Further, the premier mentioned Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) success in the recent cantonment elections. Unofficial results revealed that PML-N had bagged 68 out of the 199 seats in the elections which were held across the country on Saturday.
Read: PML-N leads Cantonment Board Elections: unofficial results
"This win was great for PML-N", the prime minister said adding that "such a win in the general elections would also be great for the party."
When questioned on the alleged rigging in the 2013 elections and the judicial commission's probe, the premier said that the evidence regarding rigging is present in the ballot bags.
"They wanted to open the bags and they did. In Lahore, our votes in fact increased," PM Nawaz said.
Read: London visit: Pakistan's economy turning around, says PM
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is in London on an official visit during which he is set to discuss the emerging issue in the Middle East with his British counterpart, David Cameron.