ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has maintained that around 20 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) have been signed during his recent visit to China and a follow-up mechanism has also been devised.
Addressing a press conference along with ministers for Commerce, Privatization, Information and Broadcasting and Foreign Affairs, the caretaker prime minister said that a dedicated wing has been set up in the Prime Minister’s Office for planning, coordination, and cooperation in this regard.
He said although it was a multilateral forum, they have held bilateral important meetings including with the president, and Chinese state-owned and private business leadership. He hoped that Chinese private business entities’ serious partnership will be visible in BRI transformation in relation to industries, agriculture activities, and mining, etc.
PM encourages Chinese firms to explore Pakistan’s vast potential
He said that the Chinese have supported Pakistan’s traditional stance on Kashmir.
He said that constructive and productive meetings were held with the Russian president, the Kenyan president, and the Sri Lankan president, as well.
The caretaker premier added that the Middle East conflict was raised with various leaders including the Russian president, the Chinese leader, as well as, Sri Lankan president.
He said that he has come back from China with three slogans: planning, coordination, and cooperation. This would help to overcome the challenges.
He further stated that the second phase of BRI is seeing the serious involvement of Chinese private companies.
The caretaker prime minister further stated that he also raised the murder case of journalist Arshad Sharif with the president of Kenya and he was informed about the update and promised to work in close coordination with Pakistani authorities.
Replying to questions, the caretaker prime minister said that a process for implementation of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) law would require that the accused should come forward so that law could take its course and punishment would be given by the courts.
He said that Chinese investment would be a stimulant to economic growth, thus the government’s focus should be on the outcome of investment.
Replying to questions, he said that the meeting with the Russian president was the initiative of the Foreign Office as in new geo-strategic alignment and economic requirements both sides have their own requirements. He said that Russians are very important players in the region.
He said that the Afghan citizens who have worked with the US or other countries, if those countries are ready to take them back and Pakistan becomes their transit route, then the government is ready to facilitate them.
Kakar said that the action is being taken only against illegal residents in Pakistan. According to international laws, the government is taking action against illegal residents.
To a question about elections, the caretaker premier said that very soon there will be elections in the country and its date will be announced soon.
In response to a question of concerns regarding a lack of level playing field for political parties, Kakar said that if a level playing field means that an environment should be created for a particular party, he cannot say anything about it.
He also defended the NADRA and other officials for getting the former prime minister’s biometrics at the airport and stated that Nawaz Sharif is a citizen of Pakistan and the government has not made any unusual facilitation in his biometrics.
This has not given him any political advantage, which is being questioned by making an issue. He also mentioned in this regard, a level playing field of 2018 and stated a front was formed in South Punjab.
The caretaker prime minister said that if the court imposes a ban on someone or any party, then that is a different matter; the government would have to accept it as it had happened in the past. It will also happen in the future unless the parliament makes any changes in this regard.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2023
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