- Imran Khan departs for China
- Says Pakistan will not be party to any internal conflict in Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD, April 25: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday expressed the confidence that his visit to China will be “instrumental in further expanding the scope and depth” of bilateral ties.
The Pakistani Prime Minister made the remarks in his departure statement on the start of his visit to China on April 25-28, according to Prime Minister’s office.
“I begin my visit to China Thursday with the resolve to take our All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership to newer heights,” he said.
“China is our closest friend and iron brother. I look forward to meet my good friends President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang for an in-depth exchange of views on all issues of mutual interest,” Prime Minister Khan said.
He said it is a matter of great satisfaction for him that Pakistan-China bilateral ties are not only based on convergence of interests but are rooted in common experiences of past and high level of mutual trust and understanding.
“This friendship is ingrained in the hearts and minds of our people. It would remain unaffected by any regional and international developments,” the Pakistani Prime Minister further said.
He thanked China for its strong and unequivocal support to Pakistan’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, adding Pakistan will continue to standby China on all issues of its core interest.
“I strongly endorse China’s vision of a peaceful world based on win-win cooperation and community of shared destiny and a new model of development envisioned in President Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative,” Prime Minister khan went on to say.
He said China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a flagship project of BRI and that CPEC will remain the top priority of his government.
“In phase II of CPEC we are jointly focusing on socio-economic development; job creation; livelihood projects and accelerating cooperation in agriculture and industrial cooperation including Special Economic Zones,” he said in a reference to the launch of the second phase of CPEC.
“I am strongly committed to further strengthen Pakistan-China relationship. I am confident that my visit will be instrumental in further expanding the scope and depth of our bilateral ties,” he concluded.
Prime Minister said his country would not be a party to any internal conflict in neighbouring Afghanistan.
“Afghanistan conflict has brought great suffering for both Afghanistan and Pakistan over the last 40 years. Now, after a long wait, the Afghanistan Peace Process presents a historic opportunity for peace in the region and Pakistan is fully supporting the process including the next logical step of Intra Afghan Dialogue wherein Afghans will themselves decide upon the future of their country”, Prime Minister Khan said in a statement issued here.
Prime Minister Khan stated that Pakistan was dismayed by the surge of violence in Afghanistan from all sides. “The so-called offensives are condemnable and will undermine the peace process. It is not right to seek an edge in dialogue through coercion.”
“Pakistan will make all diplomatic and security efforts to make the peace process a success.”-Agencies
