Jiabao's unique visit brings friends, foes together

Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Pakistan had several unique events, making it stand apart from the official visits of other heads of states and governments to Pakistan. Premier Jiabao, though was the sixth world leader to address the joint sitting of the parliament, yet he was the first to walk down onto the floor of the house after his address to meet the parliamentarians.
He, along with Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, walked down from the dais and warmly shook hands with the parliamentarians who stood up, thumped and waved at the premier as he walked past them.
The visibly pleased Jiabao exchanged greetings in a show of deep brotherly love and affection with the Pakistani people and its leaders.
At the end of his address, he waved hands and clasped them thrice to show that China and Pakistan stand united through thick and thin and jointly confront challenges. His speech too was interspersed with adages that showed that a good neighbour was better than a distant relative and was evergreen like a pine tree. Premier Wen also pointed that one can only appreciate the strength of a horse after a long journey, implying close Pakistan-China ties that have stood the test of time.
The visit of the Chinese premier also brought together friends and foes. PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, currently a bit estranged with the government, sat next to President Asif Ali Zardari at the banquet hosted for Premier Wen. So was Maulana Fazalur Rehman who was present at both the luncheon by Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and later at President's banquet.
Salim Saifullah Khan of "like-minded group" of PML-Q was seen sitting next to Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain while MQM leaders, who recently traded barbs with PPP, also joined the head table to meet the Chinese leader.
Unlike regular visitors from abroad, Prime Minister Gilani remained with Premier Jiabao throughout his three-day official engagements, right from receiving him at the airport, till his departure.
Another significant meeting was the joint call on by political leaders of all shades on the Chinese premier, where they welcomed him on his visit to Pakistan and expressed solidarity with China.
This was followed by a meeting of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and the three Services Chiefs who too met premier Jiabao and discussed prospects of military co-operation with him.
Jiabao's meeting with the business leaders from Pakistan and earlier interaction with those Pakistani and Chinese individuals, who made significant contribution to the Sino-Pak ties, represented the entire spectrum of Pakistanis who firmly believe in the everlasting Pakistan-China friendship.