DACCA: China has offered to Pakistan interest-free new credit of Rs 200 million (100 million yuans) to support Pakistan’s economic development, Mr M. M. Ahmed, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission disclosed here tonight [Dec 23].

In an airport interview on return from China after heading a seven-member delegation, Mr Ahmad said that it had been agreed that two-thirds of the credit would be utilised for development projects and one-third for the import of essential commodities to be agreed upon between Pakistan and China.

The new credit would be on the same terms and conditions as the first credit of 60 million dollars.

Mr Ahmad said that the new credit was expected to make a significant contribution to Pakistan’s drive towards the goal of self-reliance. It would help set up basic industries of vital importance to Pakistan, he added.

This interest-free, long-term credit, Mr Ahmed said, symbolised the continuing spirit of friendship and co-operation between the two countries. — Agency

[Meanwhile, as reported by our correspondent in Karachi,] President Mohammad Ayub Khan and President Lyndon B. Johnson yesterday [Dec 23] discussed matters of mutual interest for about an hour when the US Chief Executive made a 70-minute stopover at Karachi airport on his way home from Australia.

President Ayub Khan, who had earlier flown into Karachi from Rawalpindi, welcomed the US President at the airport.

The two leaders immediately entered the VIP room of the airport and remained closeted from 1405 hours to 1512 hours (WPST). Towards the end of their discussions, aides from both sides joined in the talks.

They were Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada, the Foreign Minister, Syed Fida Hasan, Principal Secretary to the President, and Mr S.M. Yousuf, the Foreign Secretary, Ambassador to the US Mr Agha Hilaly, from the Pakistan side.

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2017