ISLAMABAD  - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said the postponement of President Xi Jinping’s visit to Pakistan in September last was unfortunate and the people of Pakistan are eagerly looking forward to welcoming the President soon.
“The friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and the solid foundation of our time-tested and all-weather friendship is based on strong mutual trust,” said the PM in a meeting Chen Fengxiang, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Committee of the Communist Party of China at the PM’s House.
“We owe it to our future generations to keep the rich narrative of Pak-China friendship alive by expanding people-to-people linkages at all levels,” he said, appreciating that the Communist Party of China has led the country to astonishing economic transformation, which has lifted 400 million people out of poverty within a period of 30 years.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan wants more institutional exchanges between the parliamentarians of the two countries to promote mutual understanding and learning.
The delegation briefed the Prime Minister on recent political developments in China, including the outcomes of the 4th Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee meeting, which focused on strengthening the rule of law in China and increasing accountability of the administration.
It also extended condolences on the tragic incident of terrorism that took place in Peshawar and said the Chinese leadership has expressed sympathy and full support for the people of Pakistan in the aftermath of this dastardly act.
The Prime Minister appreciated the concern shown by the Chinese leadership in this regard. He said that Operation Zarb-e-Azb has produced very positive results and many terrorists have been killed or captured.
“We will continue to target all terrorist organizations irrespective of their agenda and affiliation,” he said.