China has always played an "important role" as Pakistan's political, economic and strategic partner, says Fawad Chaudhry
BEIJING: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and President of Uzbekistan Shaukat Mirziyoyev in Beijing and discussed issues related to Kashmir and Afghanistan.
PM Imran Khan is currently in Beijing on a four-day visit, where he attended the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics 2022 and met the Chinese leadership, local businessmen, to show solidarity with the brother-sister nation amid the West's boycott.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry said on Twitter that both Kashmir and Afghanistan were the focus of the prime minister's meetings with the leaders.
“Prime Minister Imran Khan's meeting with Chinese Premier Li has come to an end. This was followed by a meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat. Kashmir and Afghanistan were the main topics of discussion in both the meetings.
China has always played an "important role" as Pakistan's political, economic and strategic partner, the minister said.
In a separate statement, the Prime Minister's Office said that the Prime Minister, in his meeting with the Uzbek President, exchanged views on all aspects of bilateral relations based on shared bonds of trust, history and culture.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, the two leaders reaffirmed their resolve to comprehensively upgrade the Pakistan-Uzbekistan partnership across a broad spectrum and take practical steps for the implementation of key projects.
Prime Minister Imran Khan underlined the importance of increased trade and economic cooperation, particularly through the operationalization of the landmark Bilateral Transit Trade Agreement (UPTTA) and the finalization of the Preferential Trade Agreement.
They also reiterated Pakistan's full support for the Trans-Afghan Railway project and exchanged views on next steps to take it forward in the coming months.
To further improve connectivity and people-to-people contacts, the Prime Minister underlined the need to take all steps to enhance tourism, resume direct flights, strengthen banking links and facilitate visa procedures .
The two leaders also discussed cooperation in education and culture and recognized progress on joint research and media ventures, including a joint film on the Babri heritage and the dubbing of Pakistani plays in the Uzbek language.
They also exchanged views on issues of regional peace and stability. Both sides stressed the need for continued economic and humanitarian assistance by the international community to Afghanistan to avoid further deterioration of the situation.
Stressing the need for practical engagement, the two leaders agreed that a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan is critical to regional stability as well as the realization of infrastructure and connectivity projects.
PM Imran said that the people of Pakistan look forward to welcoming President Mirziyoyev on his visit to Pakistan. Both sides agreed to work together to ensure a tangible outcome of the visit.
PM Imran holds meeting on renewable energy
Separately, PM Imran held an online meeting with Dr. Song Hailiang, Chairman of China Energy and Engineering Corporation and Dr. Ding Yanzhang, Chairman of Power China.
The meeting was about increasing investment in Pakistan's energy sector including renewable energy and improving irrigation infrastructure.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Shaukat Fayaz Tarin, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Commerce Adviser Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Special Assistant to the PM on CPEC Affairs Khalid Mansoor, National Security Advisor Dr Moeed Yusuf and senior officials concerned are there. participating in the meeting.