ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong on Wednesday met Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa to discuss the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), regional security, measures to enhance bilateral cooperation and other matters of mutual interest. Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
The meeting, which took place at the General Headquarters of the Pakistan Army, comes ahead of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s upcoming three-day visit to China from February 3 to 5.
During his visit, Mr Khan will attend the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and hold talks with senior Chinese leaders on bilateral ties.
China’s security concerns were heightened by two major attacks last year, including a bomb attack on a Chinese workers’ bus near the Dasu hydropower plant in July and an attack on a hotel in Quetta in April, where the Chinese envoy was on a visit. stayed during. provincial capital.
The meeting is being held before the PM’s visit to China from February 3 to 5.
Meanwhile, Islamabad has agreed to pay compensation to the Chinese workers killed and injured in the Dasu attack and various plans are being worked out to pay them.
During the meeting with the Chinese Ambassador, General Bajwa reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to provide full protection to Chinese projects and citizens working in the country.
The ISPR said the Chinese envoy thanked General Bajwa for “special measures taken for provision of safe and secure environment for CPEC projects in Pakistan”.
The CPEC, which has seen a slowdown in the past few years, is also likely to come up for discussion during prime ministerial meetings in China.
Other reasons for CPEC’s slowdown are the delay in the Covid-19 pandemic, no major new Chinese commitments, pending payments of Chinese power plants worth Rs 230 billion and the financial closure of the Karachi-Peshawar railway line (ML-1) upgrade. Assignment or Project.
The ISPR said Mr. Rong was satisfied with the “progress on CPEC” and reaffirmed the need for timely completion of the remaining projects. Regional security, particularly in the context of Afghanistan, was also discussed during the meeting.
Gen Bajwa told the ambassador that Pakistan was committed to cooperating with its international allies to bring peace in the region.
PAF chief meets Czech ambassador
Meanwhile, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Pakistan Tomas Smetanka called on the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zahir Ahmed Babar Sidhu at the Pakistan Air Force Headquarters.
Media Directorate of PAF said that Mr Smetanka praised the professionalism of PAF personnel and the progress made over the years, especially through indigenisation.
Air Chief Marshal Babar reiterated his resolve to further enhance the existing cooperation between the PAF and the Czech Air Force.
“Various matters of mutual interest and professional cooperation were also discussed during the meeting,” the PAF said in a statement.
Published in Dawn, January 20, 2022
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