China will not leave Pakistan alone, PM Shehbaz Sharif says after telephonic talks with Chinese counterpart

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Chinese premier Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has assured him of complete support amid the economic crises faced by Pakistan.

Addressing a ceremony for the establishment of Hazara Electric Company here, the PM spoke highly of the Pakistan-China fraternal relations.

“I apprised the Chinese PM about our issues tim the 45-minute-long telephonic conversation with the Chinese Premier (on Thursday). The chinese PM assured me not to leave Pakistan alone,” he added.

The prime minister maintained that the coalition government would do its maximum for the relief of the masses including the provision of jobs.

He appealed to the business community to support the government’s recently announced energy conservation plan marking the early closure of markets and restaurants, to ensure judicious use of national resources and reduce the import bill.

“I appeal to the business community to extend their support to the government (for energy conservation). This will reduce the oil import and bring down the Dollar rate which would later be spent on the country’s progress including agriculture and medicine,” the prime minister stated.

About the Hazara Electric Company, the PM said it will be covering a total area of over 16,774 square kilometers.

“The new company would cater to the needs of around 726,000 consumers across Haripur, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Battagram, Torgarh, Kohistan Upper, Kohistan Lower and Kolai Plus,” he informed.

The prime minister said any difficulty faced by a nation necessitated collective action and expressed the hope that the traders from across the country would take part in this “jihad” to save the national resources.

Referring to his telephonic interaction with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Thursday, the prime minister assured that the incumbent government would abide by its commitments with IMF without further burdening the masses.

However, he also sensitized the International Monetary Fund (IMF) head over the country’s economic condition adversely affected by the worst floods and made it clear his government had already taxed the rich but could no more burden the poor.

The IMF assured that their team would visit Pakistan for a review within two to three days, the PM added.