Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to visit China in the first week of June to attend the formal launch of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC-II), a source in the Prime Minister’s Office told. Although the trip is tentatively set for June 4, the date may be subject to change.
The initial phase of CPEC focused on infrastructure and energy projects. In CPEC-II, the collaboration will extend to agriculture, the Main Line-I of Pakistan Railways, business-to-business deals, and the realignment of the Karakorum Highway (KKH), among other areas.
During a recent meeting with representatives from Chinese companies, Prime Minister Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s desire to learn from China’s experiences to enhance its IT sector and boost exports. He underscored the significance of China’s role in Pakistan’s development and expressed gratitude for its unwavering support.
“China has an important role in Pakistan’s development. It has always helped Pakistan in difficult times for which the entire nation, including me, is grateful to the Chinese leadership and the people,” the Prime Minister stated.
He also reassured the Chinese firms about the safety and security of their workers and citizens in Pakistan, highlighting that the government had implemented extensive measures to ensure their protection.
“The government has taken all possible measures to ensure foolproof security of the Chinese citizens in Pakistan,” he said, adding that a comprehensive security plan had been put in place.
Prime Minister Sharif noted Pakistan’s agricultural potential and expressed a keen interest in leveraging Chinese modern technology to advance this sector. Additionally, he invited Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan’s electric and hybrid auto sectors, among other industries.
Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal, praised the Chinese leadership for upgrading the second phase of CPEC with the inclusion of new corridors, reflecting the deepening economic partnership between the two nations.
Leave a Reply