ISLAMABAD, In a bid to bolster bilateral ties and harness the potential of the longstanding Pak-China friendship, discussions centered on increased industrial cooperation took place today between top officials from both nations. This move is aimed at tapping into opportunities stemming from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and other collaborative avenues in the energy sector.

According to Press Information Department, the Ambassador of China to Pakistan, H.E Jiang Zaidong, met with the Caretaker Federal Minister for Power and Petroleum, Muhammad Ali. The Minister expressed gratitude for China’s sustained involvement in Pakistan’s energy sector. Additionally, he congratulated the Chinese leadership on the successful conclusion of the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held earlier in October.

Ambassador Jiang Zaidong emphasized that the BRI is now a guiding force for global development, suggesting that industries from both nations can gain significantly from mutual cooperation. Welcoming the Energy Minister’s proposal, the Ambassador supported the idea of organizing a delegation comprising private firms to engage with their Chinese counterparts, aiming to amplify collaboration.

The Caretaker Federal Minister outlined that the future of Pakistan’s energy paradigm would largely focus on indigenous and renewable resources. Highlighting potential sectors for collaboration, he mentioned renewables, transmission networks, and DISCOs. Furthermore, by leveraging advanced Chinese technological expertise, the Coal Gasification plant located in Thar could be instrumental in enhancing the energy supply to various industries in Pakistan.