Pak Interim PM Due in China for Belt and Road Forum

The Prime Minister’s agenda includes attending the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum on October 17…reports Asian Lite News

The interim Prime Minister of Pakistan, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, is scheduled to visit China to participate in the third Belt and Road Forum, set to begin in Beijing later this month, according to the Foreign Office.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the Foreign Office Spokesperson, announced during the weekly briefing that Kakar had received an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping for this visit.

The Prime Minister’s agenda includes attending the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum on October 17, where he will also hold bilateral discussions with President Xi Jinping, high-ranking Chinese officials, and other leaders participating in the Belt and Road Forum.

Baloch highlighted that Kakar’s visit will emphasize the significant achievements of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and discuss future priorities for this multi-billion dollar initiative. The CPEC, introduced in 2013, is a vital component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a massive connectivity project aimed at revitalizing the ancient Silk Road across Eurasia and Africa. Notably, the CPEC extends into Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) through the Karakoram Highway in Gilgit Baltistan, seeking to enhance infrastructure within Pakistan to facilitate trade with China and foster closer integration among South Asian countries.

Additionally, the Prime Minister plans to engage with prominent Chinese entrepreneurs to foster bilateral trade and investment. He will also make a visit to Urumqi to meet with local leaders and business figures, with the goal of boosting trade, investment, and people-to-people relations. This visit coincides with the ten-year anniversary celebrations of the CPEC.

Baloch addressed another issue during the press briefing, stressing that the repatriation of illegal foreign nationals was not limited to any particular nationality. This decision was made in the interest of Pakistan’s national security, aimed at curbing illegal activities and terrorism.

Furthermore, the spokesperson expressed deep concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the region. She cited the inhumane blockade and collective punishment imposed by Israeli forces as significant contributors to the dire conditions in Gaza.

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