Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said that Pakistan attached great importance to its friendship with China and appreciates the interest of Chinese companies to invest in development projects in Pakistan.
The premier was talking to a delegation of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) China that was led by its Vice Chairman Zhang Xiaoqiang.
The prime minister deliberated upon time-lines of various projects and said Pakistan accorded top priority to the Pak-China Economic Corridor, and the projects of motorways and energy production. He thanked the delegation for showing interest in projects that are vital for the economic growth of Pakistan. Minister Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal apprised the prime minister about the detailed meetings held between the Government of Pakistan and the NDRC. He said a Joint Working Group (JWG) and a Joint Expert Group had already been established and regular meetings would be held between the two sides.
The NDRC vice chairman said there was a wave of excitement among the Chinese companies who were eager to work on projects in Pakistan.
He also said that apart from power generation projects, China was also interested in the projects of power transmission and distribution projects as well. Zhang assured that projects undertaken would be completed within the stipulated time.
The Chinese delegation expressed their desire to visit project sites in Lahore and Gwadar so that further avenues of cooperation could be explored.
Later, the prime minister hosted a luncheon in the honor of the Chinese delegation. Ishaq Dar, Minister Finance; Khwaja Saad Rafiq, Minister Railways; Khwaja Muhammad Asif, Minister of Water and Power and Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to PM and senior officers attended the meeting.
