Pakistani delegation in China to finalise relief package

BEIJING: A high-level Pakistani delegation arrived in Beijing on Friday to follow-up on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit and finalise a potential relief package to inject in the country.

Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Tariq Bajwa, secretary finance Arif Ahmed Khan, secretary planning Zafar Hasan and secretary trade Muhammad Younus Dagha are part of the delegation.

Sources said the Pakistani delegation will be in Beijing for four days during which a possible economic package will be finalised. “Talks with Chinese officials regarding the package have been initiated,” sources added.

Discussions will also be held pertaining to Pakistan-made products’ access to the Chinese markets, the sources further said.

The delegation’s visit comes as a follow-up to PM Imran’s five-day visit to China last week.

Finance Minister Asad Umar earlier this week confirmed that talks were held with China for a relief package during the prime minister’s visit, and that the two sides agreed on continuing discussions in this regard.

He said that the talks were not limited to a financial package, but also encompassed long-term partnership and investment with China.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying, during a press briefing on Wednesday, reaffirmed China and Pakistan as all-weather strategic cooperative partners, saying that the countries’ bilateral relations had been running at a high standard.

“China has been providing utmost assistance to Pakistan as its capacity allows. We will continue to offer assistance and support within our capacity to Pakistan for its economic and social development in light of its needs and upon agreement by both sides,” the spokesperson said.