Pakistan, China set for high-level engagements

Pakistan and China are set to engage in a series of high-level interactions over the next three weeks, aiming to strengthen their economic, political, and strategic ties, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The first phase of these engagements will feature the Pakistan-China strategic dialogue, with both countries’ foreign ministers co-chairing the discussions. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is slated to visit Beijing in the middle of this month to lead the Pakistani delegation at this annual dialogue, which serves as a platform to review bilateral cooperation and address regional and global issues.

This visit by Foreign Minister Dar holds significant importance as it not only addresses key concerns but also lays the groundwork for an upcoming visit by the Prime Minister.

Following Dar’s visit, another Pakistani delegation, led by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, will journey to Beijing for a crucial meeting of the Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC), the principal body overseeing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The JCC serves as a key forum for reviewing ongoing CPEC projects and exploring new collaborative ventures.

These successive meetings are expected to pave the way for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s inaugural visit to China since assuming office after the February 8 elections. Tentatively scheduled for the first week of June, this visit is poised to further strengthen bilateral relations and foster economic cooperation.

Since the new government took office, Pakistan has witnessed a flurry of diplomatic activity. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif undertook two visits to Saudi Arabia within a short span, while the Saudi foreign minister led a high-level delegation to Islamabad to explore investment opportunities under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). Additionally, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi visited Pakistan, marking the first such visit by a head of state since the February elections.

In the pipeline are two key visits, including that of the Turkish president and the Saudi crown prince, highlighting the government’s efforts to revitalize the economy through enhanced international engagement.

May 5, 2024

Source: Express Tribune

By Editor

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