ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday held a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the all-weather strategic partnership between Pakistan and China.
President Xi reiterated Beijing’s support for Pakistan, stressing that China would continue to stand by Islamabad in all areas of economic growth and development. “Focus is being placed on Pakistan’s most important economic sectors,” President Xi said, adding that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had now entered its second phase with a renewed focus on industrial cooperation, agriculture, energy, and technology.
Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed gratitude to the Chinese leadership for its unwavering support and highlighted the significance of CPEC as a transformative initiative for Pakistan’s economy. He assured that Pakistan remains fully committed to expediting ongoing projects under the corridor framework.The two leaders also discussed regional stability, connectivity, and enhanced cooperation under the SCO platform. Both sides agreed to further deep people-to-people exchanges and bolster ties across trade, investment, and cultural cooperation.
Observers note that the meeting reflects the enduring strength of Pakistan-China relations, often described as “iron brothers.” As Pakistan seeks to stabilize its economy, Beijing’s continued engagement and investment are expected to play a vital role in supporting growth and long-term development
