LAHORE - The 46 billion dollar Chinese package for Pakistan is a test of hard work and love with the country, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Monday.
“Politicians, officers and experts will have to make concerted efforts for fully benefitting from this economic cooperation extended by China,” the CM said.
He attended a meeting in Beijing during his three-day tour to China. The chief minister along with his advisers and state ministers will hold meetings with Chinese authorities on cooperation in energy sector and the progress so far made on the implementation of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
On his arrival at Beijing airport, the Pakistani delegation was warmly received by senior Chinese officials and Ambassador of Pakistan to China.
During the meeting, Shahbaz Sharif said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the biggest gift to Pakistan so far, and also a trial for Pakistanis.
He expressed the hope that Pakistani nation will come up to this test.
The meeting reviewed in detail the progress on the implementation of CPEC. Federal Minister for Planning & Development Ahsan Iqbal and senior officers of federal and provincial governments were present in the meeting.
The chief minister told the Chinese that a strategy on war footings has been evolved for implementation on China-Pakistan Economic Package. He said that cooperation will be further promoted in energy, infrastructure, transport and health sectors during the visit of China.
Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that delay by any ministry or department on implementation of the Chinese Economic Package for Pakistan will not be tolerated. “Planning & Development Department reviews implementation of CPEC regularly,” he added.
During this tour, the chief minister will exchange views and strike agreements on the development in transport and infrastructure sector.
Before leaving Pakistan, Shahbaz told the media that China is a time tested friend of Pakistan. “Projects started with Chinese cooperation will not only benefit Pakistan but the whole region.”
Shahhaz Sharif is leading a delegation comprising Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Adviser on Health Khwaja Salman Rafiq, Lahore Transport Company Chairman Khwaja Ahmad Hassan and senior government officials.