Pakistan Announced Free Visas for Chinese Citizens from August 14, 2024 underscoring Islamabad’s strong commitment to its relationship with Beijing, announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif yesterday.
This announcement was made during a meeting with a high-level 12-member Chinese delegation led by Minister Wang Fukang. During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted his recent request to Chinese leaders President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Qiang for experts to assist in modeling Pakistan’s economy after China’s successful model.
“The arrival of these experts marks a pivotal moment in our economic journey,” Shehbaz Sharif remarked. “We are confident that this collaboration will lead to significant progress.”
The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the deep-rooted friendship between China and Pakistan, describing it as boundless. He stressed the importance of industrial cooperation and expressed optimism about relocating some of this collaboration to Pakistan.
Shehbaz Sharif foresees joint ventures and partnerships as key to creating mutual benefits. He expressed that the delegation’s visit was reassuring and hoped it would be both fruitful and beneficial for Pakistan.
As Shehbaz Sharif begins his second term, he anticipates advancements in bilateral relations, particularly in industry, agriculture, and economic zones. This includes enhancing Pakistan’s capacity to meet Chinese demands with high-quality exports and exploring opportunities in mining, minerals, IT, and export zones.
“The Sino-Pak relations are higher than the Himalayas and deeper than the oceans,” Shehbaz Sharif declared, affirming the critical importance of the relationship for Pakistan’s national interests.
Despite Western calls to reassess this alliance, Pakistan remains resolute in its commitment to maintaining strong ties with China. Xi Beijing has been a reliable ally, notably aiding Pakistan last year with swift loan extensions that prevented a potential default. China’s support as a permanent UN Security Council member continues to be a cornerstone of Pakistan’s international relations.
