BEIJING: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar expressed Pak­istan’s strong commitment to advancing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisa­tion’s (SCO) security and development cooperation agenda.

He conveyed this message during a meeting with the Secretary-Gen­eral of the SCO, Ambassador Zhang Ming, in Beijing on Monday.

He highlighted the importance of effective collaboration among member states of the SCO to unlock the region’s potential for sustained progress and prosperity.

Mr Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the SCO charter and the organisation’s fundamental ideals, as enunciated in the ‘Shanghai Spirit’.

The discussion also addressed Pakistan’s initiatives and contributions during its ongoing chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of Government.

Ambassador Zhang conveyed his best wishes to the government of Pakistan on assuming the chair and reiterated the SCO secretariat’s continued support for Pakistan.

Senator Dar is on a four-day visit to China to co-chair the Fifth Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue alongside Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi.

Upon arriving in Beijing, the deputy prime minister was received by Director General Ambas­sador Wang Fu Kang and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi.

During the strategic dialogue, the two sides will conduct a comprehensive review of bilateral relations, including economic and trade cooperation, high-level exchanges and visits, upgrades to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), future connectivity initiatives, and the geopolitical situation.

Gezhouba Group

Separately, Deputy PM Dar extended an invitation to the Chinese Gezhouba Group to expand its operations in Pakistan under the second phase of CPEC.

“Under Phase-II of CPEC, Pakistan offers generous incentives to Chinese investors, which the Gezhouba Group can use to expand its business footprint in Pakistan,” he said during a meeting with the Gezhouba Grou­p’s chairman in Beijing.

The Gezhouba Group, a subsidiary of Energy China, China’s leading company undertaking multiple power generation projects in Pakistan, said a press release issued by the Foreign Office.

Mr Dar expressed condolences to the chairman for the tragic incident in Shangla, where five Chinese and one Pakistani national lost their lives. He reiterated Pakistan’s firm resolve to bring the perpetrators of the heinous attack to justice and ensure foolproof security to Chinese nationals in Pakistan.

Recognising the Gezh­ouba Group’s contribution to Pakistan’s economic development, the deputy prime minister emphasised the need for Pakistan to further expand its po­­wer generation capacity in renewable and hydel sectors, where the Gezhouba Group can play a leading role.

Lucrative opportunities

Highlighting the government’s investor-friendly policies, the deputy prime minister invited Chinese companies to set up manufacturing and processing units in Pakistan during a meeting with Mayor Zhao Tianbao of Shoguang in Beijing.

Deputy PM Dar outlined Pakistan’s economic reform agenda and presented opportunities for foreign direct investment (FDI) in various sectors, including infrastructure development, renewable energy, textiles, agriculture, IT and mining.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2024