ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm commitment and resolve to maintain robust and forward-looking engagement with the United Kingdom, a longstanding strategic partner.
The premier met British National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell who called on him at the PM House. Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, SAPM Tariq Fatemi, Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and National Security Division Secretary Sajid Baloch were also present.
Powell conveyed the appreciation of British government for Pakistan’s constructive role in regional diplomacy, including its ongoing efforts to facilitate dialogue and de-escalation in the broader region. While congratulating the prime minister on the government’s impressive economic reform effort, the British NSA expressed his government’s strong interest in further expanding bilateral cooperation across security, trade, investment and development sectors.
Separately, the prime minister received a high-level Chinese delegation, led by Cai Dafeng, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of National People’s Congress (NPC), visiting Pakistan to participate in the celebrations of 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.
While welcoming the Chinese dignitary to Pakistan on this auspicious occasion, the prime minister stated that over the past 75 years, Pakistan and China have established a unique bond of friendship, anchored in mutual trust and strategic convergence on issues of bilateral and regional significance.
The prime minister conveyed his warm greetings to President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and the Chinese people on the occasion of the 75th anniversary.
Shehbaz lauded the role of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a gamechanger for Pakistan’s socio-economic development, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm resolve to ensure the success of the next phase of CPEC, focused on agriculture, IT, industries and the mining sector. He stated that he was greatly looking forward to his upcoming official visit to China.
Vice Chairman Cai Dafeng thanked the prime minister for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation and reciprocated the greetings on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the prime minister met a delegation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) led by Federal Minister for Education and MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and discussed the upcoming federal budget, public welfare projects in Sindh and Karachi and the overall political situation in the country.
The delegation included MQM leaders Farooq Sattar, MNAs Syed Amin Ul Haque and Javed Hanif. DPM Dar and PM’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah also attended the meeting. The MQM delegation presented its proposals regarding the forthcoming federal budget to the prime minister.
Separately, Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal Managing Director Captain (retd) Shaheen Butt called on the prime minister. Shehbaz directed the institution to expedite the processing of Bait-ul-Mal applications and simplify the submission procedure. During the meeting, the Bait-ul-Mal official presented a performance review of the organisation to the prime minister.
