ISLAMABAD: A high-level Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) delegation led by PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman is set to leave for China (today) Saturday on the invitation of the Chinese government.
The Chinese government has invited the delegation to deepen the growing security, development and economic partnership between the two countries.
“The People’s Republic of China is Pakistan’s all-weather friend, while the relationship between the PPP and the Communist Party of China (CPC) goes back to the days of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Mao,” Sherry said.
“Through all its governments, the PPP, whether under Benazir Bhutto or Asif Ali Zardari, has developed its ties with the CPC across the board, while the new generation under the leadership of PPP Chairman Bilawal, has looked towards Beijing as a dependable ally and friend,” she added.
“The PPP was the first to conceive and plan the placing of Gwadar port as a link to Beijing under Asif Ali Zardari, who prioritised the idea of connectivity and peace as an integrated concept to policy agendas in Pakistan,” she said.
“We hope to learn and share ideas and exchange on common concerns, and look forward to rich, constructive discussions on a wide range of bilateral and regional issues,” she added.
The delegation will build on enduring ties between the Communist Party of China and the PPP across three generations of both the countries.
The members of the delegation include Sindh Transport and Mass Transit Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, former MNA, KP’s deputy speaker and PPP Central Information Secretary Faisal Karaim Kundi, Senator Karim Khawaja, Senator Sassui Palejo, MNA Imran Leghari, MPA Khwaja Muhammad Nizamul Mehmood, former MP for Gilgit Baltistan Advocate Amjad Hussain, former MNA for KP, Noor Alam Khan, former MNA from FATA, Akhunzada Chattan, former MNA from Punjab, Ghulam Murtaza Satti, former MNA Nadeem Afzal Chan and former MPA Natasha Daultana.
The official visit begins on Monday in the city of Urumqi and would conclude on Saturday in Beijing, with a visit to the city of Wuhan as well. The delegation will meet with the leadership of Xinjiang autonomous region’s foreign affairs office to enhance the level of exchange and cooperation between Xinjiang and its neighbouring countries, especially Pakistan. Xinjiang is one of the most important cities for the CPEC project.
Apart from security, the visit would also focus on the development and economic partnership between Pakistan and China. The delegation will also meet with high level CPC leadership and will also interact with Chinese think tanks.
The aim of the meeting is to enhance a better bilateral understanding of changing regional dynamics and the benefits of economic cooperation. The delegation will further meet with the Provincial Development and Reform Commission to discuss development platforms and best practices in China and the region.
