ISLAMABAD: Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang will pay a three-day official visit to Pakistan next month, in October, local media reported quoting sources.
According to the reports the visit would held to further boost bilateral ties through the multi-billion dollar corridor project and cultural exchange initiatives.
During his visit, Premier Li is likely to hold talks with Pakistani leadership on various aspects of Pakistan-China ties, including trade, economy and security.
This will be the first visit by any Chinese prime minister to Pakistan in the past 11 years. Li Keqiang was the last Chinese premier to visit Pakistan in May 2013.
Prime Minister Li will visit Islamabad from October 14 to 16. During the visit, significant agreements are expected to be signed, including proposals for the construction of the ML-I railway track in various phases.
There is also a proposal for the Chinese prime minister to address a joint session of the Parliament. Moreover, Premier Li will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting for heads of government on October 16.
Pakistan is set to host the SCO heads of government meeting from October 15 to 16. The event would be preceded by a ministerial meeting and several rounds of senior officials’ meetings on financial, economic, socio-cultural, and humanitarian cooperation among the SCO member states.
Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, on Thursday also confirmed that Pakistan had invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the upcoming SCO meeting being held in Islamabad.
The meeting is expected to focus on consultations regarding trade and economic cooperation between member countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong that Pakistan wants to enhance its collaboration with China in areas such as information technology, artificial intelligence, and modern agriculture.
He added that the friendship between Pakistan and China has endured and remained strong throughout the years.
