06 October 2004	Wednesday	20 Shaban 1425

ISLAMABAD, Oct 5: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday said the Pakistan-China friendship would get a boost with the commissioning of Gwadar Port and Saindak Copper Projects in Balochistan.

He was talking to a 12-member delegation led by the Governor of Sinkiang province of China, who called on him at the Prime Minister's House. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz expressed confidence that the economic cooperation between the two countries, through the ongoing projects, would bring greater depth and direction to the time-tested friendship between the two countries.

Prime Minister said the Gwadar Port would emerge as a major hub of economic activities in the region facilitating imports and exports not only from the country but also from Chinese areas like Kashghar.

He underlined the need of greater interaction between the private sectors of the two countries adding that Minister Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas would soon visit Kashghar along with a business delegation to explore the possibilities of expanding trade.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan supports China in its efforts to combat and contain the menace of terrorism for greater peace and stability in the region. Pakistan-China friendship, Prime Minister said, is not only a source of strength for the two countries, but was also contributing to stability in the region.

He also promised to look into the possibility of operating direct PIA flights from Islamabad to Kashghar. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said that Pakistan being an Investor-friendly country, would encourage and facilitate China in investing various fields.

The two sides also discussed ways and means to enhance mutually advantageous economic cooperation and suggestion was made to activate the quadrilateral treaty of truck traffic among Pakistan, China, Kirghizistan and Kazakhstan.

The meeting noted that there was a great demand of construction material in Pakistan, and China can cater to this need. The Chinese side thanked the Prime Minister for providing facilities at the Sust customs check post. The Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat and the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan were also present. -APP