ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday held a telephonic conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping to express unequivocal solidarity with China and its people following the outbreak of deadly COVID-19 (coronavirus).
The premier conveyed his heartfelt condolences over the loss of precious lives, and praised the relentless efforts undertaken by China for containing and controlling the virus.
He underscored that the people and Pakistan’s government stood firmly with China in its decisive efforts to fight and eliminate the virus.
Khan underscored that timely, effective and far-reaching measures undertaken by China were being acknowledged globally.
PM Imran reiterated Pakistan’s offer to send a field hospital along with a team of doctors to China to help Chinese people fight the virus.
While underscoring Pakistan’s full trust in the measures being taken by the Chinese authorities, the premier expressed complete confidence that the Chinese nation under the inspiring leadership of President Xi would emerge stronger.
He appreciated China’s strong resolve and special measures to look after our nationals during the hard times. He expressed the confidence that China would continue to take best possible measures for the welfare of Pakistanis in China.
Xi expressed profound gratitude for Pakistan’s support to China at a critical time and underscored that China has been taking effective, swift and timely measures to battle Coronavirus. He emphasised that China would win people’s war against coronavirus.
He reaffirmed that China was treating Pakistani students as their own and would spare no effort in ensuring their safety, health and well-being.
On bilateral relations, President Xi underscored China’s commitment to taking the Pakistan-China economic partnership to a new level and stressed that the CPEC would continue to be its strongest center-piece.
Both leaders shared their resolve to continue to have communication and exchanges at the highest level to strengthen Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and build a joint community for shared future.
The coronavirus emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, apparently in a wildlife market, and has now infected some 75,000 people and killed about 2,100.
The vast majority of cases and deaths have been in China, and more specifically Hubei province, of which Wuhan is capital, but the global spread appears inexorable.
Meanwhile, former British foreign minister Sir Hugo Swire on Thursday called on Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad.
The visiting dignitary was accompanied by Anwar Parvez, Lord Zameer Chaudhry and Abdul Qadeer Hamza.
Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood and Chairman Board of Investment Syed Zubair Haider Gilani were also in attendance during the meeting.
The meeting discussed issues related to mutual understanding between both the countries.
Yesterday, a cross-party delegation of UK parliamentarians, led by Chair of All-Parties Parliamentary Kashmir Group Debbie Abrahams also met PM Imran Khan.
Speaking to the delegation, Prime Minister Imran Khan had said that a just and lasting solution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute was essential for peace, security and stability in South Asia.
He had underlined that eight million Kashmiris were under a military siege for the past six months, with all their rights and freedoms taken away from them.
The prime minister also highlighted the threat to peace and security posed by the Indian leadership’s belligerent rhetoric and aggressive actions on the ground.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Thursday said that there should be no delay in establishment of the university at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad.
He was chairing a meeting for the establishment of the university at the PM House. Professor Dr Atta ur Rehman briefed the meeting over progress made on the university project.
During the briefing, it was informed that Rs 200 million would be required for the initial feasibility of the varsity that would comprise of three centres of excellence and eight departments. The university would emphasize on the teaching of modern technology.
Asad Umar said that there was a dire need of giving special attention on modern technology in order to bring the country’s manufacturing sector at par with international standards.
The meeting also directed the information technology ministry to form a special committee for the establishment of the university and imparting education for utilization of modern technologies in it. – NNI
PM offers China ‘unequivocal support’ in battling virus
