CPEC Cooperation Discussed in Islamabad as PM Shehbaz Meets Chinese Envoy
CPEC cooperation was discussed in Islamabad as Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to strengthening strategic relations with China and advancing the progress of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. The reaffirmation came during a high-level meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended warm greetings and best wishes to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. He also conveyed his sincere hopes for the successful organization of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in China, underscoring the importance of continued multilateral engagement between both countries.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister highlighted the longstanding and deep-rooted “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” between Pakistan and China. He emphasized that CPEC remains the centerpiece of Pakistan’s development strategy and a symbol of the strong bilateral relationship. Major infrastructure and economic initiatives, including the ML-I railway project, the realignment of the Karakoram Highway, the operationalization of Gwadar Port, and enhanced cooperation in agriculture, industry, and the IT sector, were discussed as key pillars of CPEC.
The Prime Minister expressed heartfelt appreciation for China’s ongoing financial and economic assistance, noting its vital role in helping stabilize Pakistan’s economy and improve its macroeconomic performance. With CPEC cooperation discussed in Islamabad, both sides expressed mutual resolve to accelerate the pace of ongoing projects and to expand the scope of future collaboration.
In addition to economic matters, the meeting included a detailed discussion on regional security issues. Particular attention was given to recent developments in the Iran-Israel conflict, with both parties emphasizing the need for regional peace and stability.
Ambassador Jiang Zaidong commended Pakistan’s active and constructive diplomatic efforts on the global stage, particularly its calls for peaceful conflict resolution through dialogue, including at the United Nations Security Council. He also provided an update on the current state of bilateral cooperation and confirmed that preparations are underway for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s planned visit to China in August.
The meeting marked another significant moment in the ongoing strategic dialogue between the two countries, with CPEC cooperation discussed in Islamabad as a central theme for future development and partnership.
