Pakistan-China friendship is a guarantor of peace, development, and prosperity in the region. Pakistan and China have longstanding cooperation in counterterrorism, which is multidimensional and ongoing.
In Kabul, a trilateral meeting of Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan was held, where consultations took place on political, economic, and security cooperation, while emphasis was laid on joint measures for regional peace and stability.
ISLAMABAD ( Web Desk )
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that relations between China and Pakistan are evergreen and that the launch of CPEC Phase 2 will take place soon. Addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan’s relations with China are time-tested, and soon the second phase of CPEC will begin. He added that he will be visiting China, where, apart from the SCO summit, bilateral meetings will also take place. The Prime Minister stated that China has always supported Pakistan. The Chinese Foreign Minister had recently visited Pakistan, holding comprehensive meetings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and later meeting him personally last night.
It may be noted that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, heading a high-level delegation, arrived in Islamabad yesterday. The sixth round of strategic dialogue between Pakistan and China was jointly chaired by the Foreign Ministers of both countries. Later, Foreign Minister Wang Yi also held an important meeting with Field Marshal, Army Chief General Asim Munir, during which regional security, counterterrorism, and other issues were discussed.
The Foreign Office clarified that no meeting is scheduled between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Narendra Modi in China. In the weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan informed that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will depart for Bangladesh tomorrow, where his visit will yield positive outcomes in eliminating terrorism and promoting trade.
He said Pakistan strongly condemns the so-called “Greater Israel” plan. Pakistan is committed to the complete eradication of terrorism. He welcomed the designation of the BLA’s Majeed Brigade as a terrorist organization, noting its involvement in several terrorist acts in Balochistan.
He further said that the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s two-day official visit to Pakistan concluded successfully. During his visit, he met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar, and other senior leadership. In Islamabad, the sixth round of the Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue was held, where consensus was reached on CPEC Phase 2 as well as on cooperation in trade, investment, and energy. Both countries also discussed Afghanistan, the Middle East, and terrorism.
The spokesperson said Pakistan briefed China about Indian atrocities in Kashmir and appreciated China’s support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination. Defense cooperation, education, and cultural exchanges were also discussed. Shafqat Ali Khan said that Pakistan-China friendship is a guarantor of peace, development, and prosperity in the region, and Wang Yi’s visit will further strengthen Pakistan-China strategic cooperation.
He informed that a trilateral meeting of Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan was held in Kabul, attended by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, and the Afghan Foreign Minister. They held consultations on political, economic, and security cooperation, while emphasizing joint steps for regional peace and stability. Extension of CPEC into Afghanistan was also discussed, along with detailed deliberations on border security and terrorist threats.
The spokesperson added that Pakistan reaffirmed its support for the welfare of the Afghan people and the peace process, while China assured its role in Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development. The Afghan Foreign Minister appreciated the support of Pakistan and China. Agreement was also reached on curbing narcotics, smuggling, and organized crime. On this occasion, the three sides also stressed enhanced trilateral cooperation in education, health, and people-to-people connectivity.
He also informed that Ishaq Dar visited the UK from August 17, where he met with British Secretary for South Asia, South Hemish Falconer, and inaugurated two services related to land records and passports on August 18.
The Foreign Office spokesperson reiterated that no meeting is scheduled between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Narendra Modi in China, nor can anything affect Pakistan’s deep ties with China. Pakistan and China’s cooperation in counterterrorism is longstanding, multidimensional, and ongoing. Additionally, he commented on the harassment of Pakistani diplomats in India, saying that Pakistan believes in dignified treatment of diplomats. He emphasized that China is a top priority in Pakistan’s foreign policy.