Chinese president to visit Pakistan next week
Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to travel to Pakistan next week to strengthen the political relations and economic ties between the two countries.
Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday that President Xi would visit Pakistan on Monday and Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry has also said the Chinese leader would hold talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, along with the heads of the Pakistani armed forces.
"During the visit, the two sides will review all aspects of their bilateral relations and also exchange views on regional issues and international developments," the ministry said in a statement, adding that Xi's visit would "further consolidate the existing 'all weather relations' between Pakistan and China, in all areas of importance, especially political, economic and strategic."
The Chinese leader was to visit Pakistan in mid-September last year, but his trip was postponed due to massive protests in the capital Islamabad, where the Pakistani opposition was calling for Prime Minister Sharif's resignation.
Sources say President Xi is expected to show China’s commitment to the infrastructure development of Pakistan
Under a deal to be signed during the visit, China will build a pipeline to bring natural gas from Iran to Pakistan to help address Pakistan’s acute energy shortage.
Iran and Pakistan have been in charge of completing the pipeline project within their own territories. Iran has already completed its 900-kilometer share of the pipeline on its soil and awaits Islamabad's move to build the 700-kilometer Pakistani side of it.
The gas pipeline, also known as the Peace pipeline, is designed to help Pakistan overcome its growing energy needs at a time when the country of over 180 million people is grappling with serious energy shortages.
The Chinese leader's visit is expected to inject USD 46 billion in investment across Pakistan over the coming decades.
China is also a leading arms supplier to Pakistan and has sought its help in combating some anti-Chinese separatists reportedly hiding in the Asian country's northwestern tribal region.
Beijing and Islamabad have long maintained close military relations.
JR/GHN/HMV
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