Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Thursday reiterated their commitment to the timely completion of various projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

This commitment was made in the meeting between National Assembly (NA) Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and Standing Committee of National People’s Congress of China Chairman Zhang Dejiang in Beijing.

According to the National Assembly’s spokesman, it was underscored in the meeting that the CPEC would not only benefit the two countries, but also the entire region.

The speaker said, “China is a great country and a time-tested friend of Pakistan. We are truly proud to be such a devoted friend from generation to generation.” He hoped that frequent parliamentary exchanges and people-to-people contacts would further strengthen the historically robust relationship. He highlighted the complete political consensus in Pakistan on the importance of the CPEC and on Pakistan-China relations.

He also briefed his Chinese counterpart on the current situation in the Indian-held Kashmir and emphasised on the need for a peaceful settlement of this longstanding dispute in accordance with the UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiris.

Dejiang termed Pakistan and China as “all-weather strategic partners” and expressed support for the initiatives undertaken by the Pakistani government for socio-economic development. He also said his understanding of Pakistan’s position on the Kashmir dispute.

The two sides laid emphasis on the need for frequent parliamentary exchange at various levels to have parliamentary oversight over the CPPEC projects as well as to further strengthen the friendship bond between the two countries.