ISLAMABAD: On his return from China, President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday said Chinese leaders had committed full assistance to Pakistan in the field of civilian nuclear energy.
The president was talking to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, who called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
An official statement issued after the meeting stated, “The current situation in the country and the recent visit of the president to China came under discussion.”
An official privy to the meeting said the president apprised the prime minister about his talks with the Chinese leadership on various important issues including Pakistan’s desire for increased cooperation with China in the field of civilian nuclear energy.
According to the official, the president said the Chinese leaders’ response on the issue of civilian nuclear energy cooperation was positive and they were willing to extend all possible help to Pakistan in building new nuclear power reactors.
He said Gilani gave a detailed briefing to president on the two-day Pakistan Development Forum in which the donors came up with fresh pledges of assistance for Pakistan to meet economic challenges in the wake of the devastating floods.
Gilani informed the president about international donors’ renewed demand for economic reforms in Pakistan and an end to the prevailing corruption in the government cadres.
He said the president also discussed with the Chinese leadership the US support for India’s bid for UNSC’s permanent membership. “China and Pakistan are on the same page regarding the opposition to more permanent members in the UN Security Council,” the president said.
Gilani took on board the president on the progress made with respect to implementation of the 18th Amendment Zardari said the implementation of the 18th amendment should be ensured on a stipulated time for making the provinces autonomous.
