KARACHI:Pakistan and China agreed to play a positive and constructive role in helping Afghanistan achieve stable development and integration into the international community, said a joint statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The statement comes following the conclusion of Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s visit to Beijing.
The two leaders co-chaired the Fifth Round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in Beijing, where both sides assured help and also sought the international community’s support for Afghanistan in helping it address challenges in areas of humanitarian situation and economic development, building an inclusive political framework, adopting moderate policies, pursuing good-neighbourliness and combating terrorism.
Pak-China officials engaged in discussions covering various aspects of their bilateral relationship, including strategic, economic, political, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The statement added that the officials also discussed international and regional issues of mutual interest, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding their common interests and promoting peace and development in the region.
Both countries reaffirmed their strong friendship and strategic trust, pledging to deepen their cooperation across all sectors and implement agreements made by their leaders.They congratulated each other on recent achievements and reiterated their support for each other’s core interests, particularly concerning territorial integrity and combating terrorism.
Condemning the terrorist attack on the Chinese convoy of the Dasu Hydropower Project on March 26, the leaders pledged to enhance security measures and committed to fighting terrorism together, the statement noted.
It added that the leaders emphasized the importance of peace and stability in South Asia and expressed support for resolving disputes through peaceful means and multilateral cooperation.
Both sides pledged to deepen collaboration on China’s Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to enhance the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with new corridors aligned to Pakistan’s development goals.
While showing commitment to expediting major infrastructure projects, and bolstering cooperation in various sectors like agriculture, industry, and technology in Pakistan, the leaders also recognized the significance of the Khunjerab Pass for bilateral trade and agreed to ensure its year-round functionality.
The meeting also discussed advancing energy cooperation and strengthening financial ties, with Pakistan acknowledging China’s assistance during natural disasters, said the MoFA statement.
