PM warns against delay in enforcing accords with China

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed the concerned authorities to expedite the process of implementing the agreements and Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) made with the Chinese government and companies, saying that delay in implementation of the agreements would not be tolerated.

China is a time tested friend of Pakistan who helped Pakistan in every hour of need, the prime minister said while chairing a review meeting regarding Pak-China cooperation here at PM House. He said that the Chinese leadership was determined to further expand investment in Pakistan.

The prime minister pointed out that the transfer of the Chinese industry to Pakistan would help improving the country’s overall economy, increasing Pakistan’s exports and creating new employment opportunities.

During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed on progress of different projects that were launched with the Chinese cooperation. The PM was told that Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway would be completed through Public Private Partnership.

It was informed that the plan to send 1,000 students for modern agricultural vocational training at government expense had been completed. The first batch of students was being sent to China at the beginning of this academic year while the next batch would be sent to the Chinese modern agricultural universities after learning Chinese in Pakistan.

Furthermore, the meeting was informed that the plan to transfer the power plants running on imported coal to local coal was also in the final stages.

As regards business and investment opportunities in Pakistan, a road show was being organized in Beijing with the cooperation of China. A comprehensive road map was presented to the meeting regarding the transfer of Chinese industries in Pakistan.

It was informed in the meeting that the Chinese textile, medical and surgical equipment, plastic and leather industries will be partnered with Chinese companies to move to Pakistan.

“78 Pakistani companies have initially expressed deep interest in cooperation for the transfer of Chinese industries to Pakistan,” the meeting was informed. In this regard, the Board of Investment (BoI) presented a comprehensive report on the progress and action plan. The prime minister appreciated the steps and recommendations of BoI in this regard. He directed the relevant departments and officers to provide all kind of facilities to Pakistani companies in collaborating with Chinese companies.

Meanwhile, the prime minister on Saturday directed the project team of Islamabad Technology Park and the Information Technology Ministry to complete the project within current calendar year instead of the scheduled completion date of June 2025.

The prime minister, during his visit to the under-construction site of the country’s largest Islamabad Technology Park, said the project was being completed at a cost of Rs25 billion out of which $70 million (soft loan) was being provided by the South Korean government.

Meanwhile, the prime minister welcomed the historic International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on Israel’s policies in Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Meanwhile, the prime minister, appreciating the Pakistani women for rendering valuable services in every field, said that the government was determined to provide equal opportunities to all talented women across the country.

He was talking to the globally acclaimed Pakistani mountaineer Naila Kiyani who called on him at the PM House.

The prime minister congratulated Naila on becoming the first Pakistani woman to conquer 11 peaks, above 8,000 meters, calling it a proud moment for Pakistan.