Chinese Premier Li Qiang to visit Pakistan on October 14: DPM Dar

Islamabad: Chinese Premier Li Qiang is scheduled to visit Pakistan on October 14 for a significant bilateral meeting aimed at deepening economic and strategic ties between the two countries, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said.

Ishaq Dar confirmed the visit in a media interaction, positioning it as a pivotal event in a series of high-profile international engagements hosted by Pakistan. This visit underscores China’s unwavering support for Pakistan, especially through its extensive investments in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a US $65 billion project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The CPEC has been crucial in advancing infrastructure and development projects in Pakistan, helping to alleviate some of the country’s economic challenges.

The timing of Premier Qiang’s visit is particularly important, coming just before the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting, set to take place in Islamabad on October 15-16.

As a founding member of the SCO, alongside Russia, China sees this visit as an opportunity to bolster its regional influence. Pakistan, which has struggled with an economic crisis, views China’s continued support as critical to stabilizing its economy, which faces low foreign reserves and high external financing needs.

The bilateral visit is expected to reaffirm the strategic partnership and address key concerns related to economic cooperation and security.