Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that Pakistan needs to learn from China and take advantage of the latter’s experience to combat poverty in the country.

The premier said the above during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jingping and other dignitaries in Beijing. “The way China pulled itself out of corruption and poverty is exemplary. Pakistan must take notes and seek Chinese experience in implementing similar policies for end of poverty and corruption in the country,” PM Khan said.

PM Khan also shed light on the country’s economic woes. “My party has only been in power for two months. Unfortunately we have inherited a very difficult economic situation.” He added that the country was going through a tough phase, facing two huge deficits, including a fiscal deficit and a current account deficit.

Khan’s Chinese counterpart Xi Jingping said that the entire region was reaping fruits of good ties between Pakistan and China. He said the relations between the two countries have always been strong but now new avenues of cooperation were being opened.

“Relations between both Pakistan and China are beneficial for all neighbouring countries too,” he said.

PM Khan Thursday left for China on his first official visit to the country after assuming the office. The prime minister was accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Planning Minister Khusro Bakhtiar, Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Commerce Advisor Abdul Razak Dawood and Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal.

According to a Foreign Office statement, the prime minister, during his visit from November 2 to 5, would hold meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

After his visit to Beijing, the prime minister would participate in the First China International Import Expo in Shanghai, where Pakistan is exhibiting a wide range of export products. Prime Minister will be a keynote speaker at the inauguration ceremony of the expo.