ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated Pakistan’s dedication to collaborating with China on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. This pledge was made during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, who visited the Prime Minister in Islamabad on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif conveyed his regards to President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. He also expressed his best wishes for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in China.

Highlighting the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and China, Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the importance of key projects under CPEC. These include the ML-I railway project, the realignment of the Karakoram Highway, the operationalization of Gwadar Port, and initiatives in agriculture, industry, and information technology sectors.

Prime Minister Sharif appreciated China’s ongoing financial and economic support, which he stated has been instrumental in stabilizing Pakistan’s economy and improving its macro-economic outlook.

The meeting also addressed regional security issues, with a focus on the Iran-Israel conflict. Ambassador Jiang commended Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts, particularly at the United Nations Security Council, to advocate for a peaceful resolution through dialogue.

Ambassador Jiang also briefed the Prime Minister on various facets of bilateral cooperation between the two nations. He mentioned that preparations are underway to ensure the success of Prime Minister Sharif’s anticipated visit to China by the end of August.