Shehbaz Sharif holds in-depth meeting with Chinese Ambassador ahead of China visit

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has held an in-depth meeting with Chinese ambassador Nong Rong encompassing diverse matters ahead of his two-day official visit to China starting Tuesday.

It was highlighted in the meeting that the visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to China would further strengthen trade and economic ties, the PM’s Office said. Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi also attended the meeting.

Later in the day, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong called on Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal and discussed projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) aimed the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to China.

The meeting which lasted for an hour discussed the projects under CPEC, which will be taken up during the recent visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in China.

The minister emphasized the importance of several CPEC projects and reiterated that the government was committed to uplift the CPEC projects particularly, Main Line 1 (ML-1) and Karachi Circular Railways (KCR) projects.

During the meeting, the minister highlighted the significance of ML-1 and Karachi Curricular Railways KCR projects which were considered to be a ‘strategic projects’.

The minister said that all formalities had been completed in that regard including the approval of the Central Development Working Party CDWP and ML-1 would have a great economic impact on both Pakistan and China.

“The delay in the ML-1 will affect our Railways track which is already in a dilapidated condition after the recent flood,” stressed the minister, while emphasizing the importance of the strategic project.

The minister also emphasized the importance of several other projects in different sectors like in Energy, Information Technology, Agriculture, Cultural and others which will be taken up during the premier’s visit in China to be scheduled on November 1-2.

These projects have a great economic impact with Zero cost, mentioned the minister, while highlighting the importance of projects.

Pakistan also proposed the establishment of state-of the art National Forensic Lab which will help in the investigation of cases.

The Chinese Ambassador appreciated the efforts of the government especially, the Minister for Planning and Development and Special Initiatives and assured his complete cooperation.