Chinese Premier Li Qiang is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on Monday for a four-day bilateral visit that coincides with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
As Pakistan gears up to host the 23rd SCO meeting on October 15 and 16, stringent security measures are in place. The government has declared a three-day public holiday in Islamabad, closing schools and businesses while deploying substantial police and paramilitary forces.
Read: Preparations and Security Tighten as Islamabad Hosts SCO Summit
A Foreign Office statement indicated that Premier Li will meet President Asif Ali Zardari, engage with parliamentary leaders, and consult with senior military officials.
According to the Foreign Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Premier Li Qiang will lead discussions on enhancing Pakistan-China relations, focusing on economic, trade, and cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The visit underscores the deep-rooted ‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ between Pakistan and China. “This visit will provide an opportunity for both nations to reaffirm their mutual support on critical issues, further the high-quality development of CPEC, and enhance exchanges on significant regional and global developments,” the statement emphasized.
Premier Li’s delegation will include ministers and senior officials from foreign affairs and commerce ministries, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the China International Development Cooperation Agency.
This visit follows closely on the heels of an October 6 suicide attack near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, which resulted in the deaths of two Chinese nationals and injuries to 11 others, including another Chinese citizen. Following the incident, China called for a thorough investigation, while PM Shehbaz committed to personally overseeing the inquiry.
China expressed its commitment on Thursday to collaborate with Pakistan in ensuring the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions within Pakistan.
