- China assures cooperation in early completion of OLMT
LAHORE: A high-level delegation under the leadership of the Minister of Communist Party of China (CPC) Wang Yajun called on Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif here on Sunday.
Issues regarding bilateral relations, the progress of CPEC projects and strengthening associations between Communist Party of China and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) were discussed in the meeting. The Wang Yajun while praising the hard-work and phenomenal leadership of Shehbaz Sharif said that Punjab had attained major development goals in his tenure which was surprising as well as impressive.
He further stated that Shehbaz has taken concrete and striking measures for the economic and social development of the province. He added that due to the personal interest of the Punjab CM, many Chinese companies were working in Pakistan and a few of them had invested in various projects of Punjab as they highly regarded Shehbaz’s exhilarating leadership.
Wang Yajun further said that he was very pleased to see the streets of the cities beautiful and clean, which obviously was due to the management of Shehbaz Sharif. He added that he liked the dedication and urge of CM for public service as he was neither tired of work nor took any rest, which were the unique qualities of his personality which made him a popular public leader.
He also said that China esteems its relations with Pakistan and due to CPEC both countries are cherishing perpetual friendship which is flourishing further. “Shehbaz Sharif has worked hard to complete the energy projects in a short span of time, the benefits of which are reaching the common people as load shedding is over in Pakistan,” he added.
The minister went on to say that CPEC is the flagship project of Belt and Road initiative which has ushered in a new era of construction and development in Pakistan.
Wang Yajun went on to say that some of the countries are opposing CPEC but it will be of no use for them and in fact, those countries are losing opportunities of progress. “CPC specifies its relationship with the PML-N and connection between the two parties has strengthened with time,” he said and added that that steps will be taken to reinforce the relations between the two parties.
He also assured CM Shehbaz of all possible cooperation regarding early completion of the Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT). He also congratulated Shehbaz Sharif for obtaining permission to continue this project and said that “undeniably this is a great plan of public interest and we will try our best to complete this project as soon as possible so that the public may have access to the standard travelling facilities.”
Shehbaz Sharif, while talking to the Chinese minister, said that each passing day is witnessing stronger ties between Pakistan and China. He added that CPEC has further boosted this relation due to which Pakistan is moving forward on the path of development and prosperity.
“The present government has ended load shedding by completing the energy project within stipulated time. Likewise, the developmental projects being completed in our tenure have no match in the history of Pakistan,” the CM said.
He went on to say that the Punjab government has set an international record by completing energy projects in shortest time, adding that the foundation stone of 1,263MW Punjab Gas Power Plant was laid at Jhang and this project was completed in a record period. CM said that China President Xi Jinping will always be remembered because he has stepped up China on the road of progress and he is connecting different countries of the world under the vision of ‘Belt and Road’.
CM Shehbaz further stated that Pakistan and China are confronting same enemies.
The Chinese delegation included senior officials of CPC and Chinese Consul General Long Ding Bin. Punjab Minister Malik Nadeem Kamran, Rana Mashhood Ahmed, Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, PML-N senior leader Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan, chief secretary, planning and development chairman, Lahore mayor and concerned officials were also present on this occasion.
Separately, the Chinese delegation also called on Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Zardari House Islamabad and discussed issues of mutual interests including China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with him.
The delegation led by Assistant Minister Wang Yajun included Deputy Director General Zhang Xuyi, Policy Research Office Director Libin and Deputy Director Hu Xiaodong. Ambassador Yao Jing, Mei Jing and officials from Chinese Embassy were also present on the occasion.
From PPP, the meeting was attended by Nayyer Hussain Bukhari, Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Farhatullah Babar, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and Faisal Karim Kundi.
Matters of mutual interest, the CPEC and party to party relations came under discussion. The delegation also invited PPP to visit China. Later, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also hosted dinner for the Chinese delegation.
