ISLAMABAD, Aug 20: Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has said that the Karakoram Highway was a symbol of everlasting friendship between Pakistan and China.

Talking to a seven-member Chinese delegation led by Charged 'Affaires Song Deheng, who called on him at the PM House on Wednesday, the prime minister said relationship between the two countries would further strengthen with the construction of the Gwadar port.

Mr Hussain said the government planned to build a "Friendship House" at Gwadar to honour the time-tested friendship between the two great nations. He was informed that the first phase of the port at Gwadar would become functional by December 25. Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz was also present during the meeting.

The delegation thanked the prime minister for naming the Thahkot bridge at the Highway as the 'Youyi' (friendship) bridge in the memory of those Chinese workers and engineers who sacrificed their lives while constructing the mountainous road.

The charge d'affaires said the people and the government of the People's Republic of China were grateful to the government of Pakistan for this noble gesture. -APP