Pakistan’s Interim Prime Minister, Anwaarul Haq Kakar, is set to meet with prominent world leaders, including Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, and Ranil Wickremesinghe, the President of Sri Lanka, during his official visit to Beijing, China. This remarkable development comes as Kakar extends an invitation to China to invest in solar parks within Pakistan, expressing a keen interest in adopting the successful Chinese models for the construction of industrial parks and special economic zones.
Anwaarul Haq Kakar’s official visit to Beijing coincides with his participation in the third Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation. The esteemed caretaker Prime Minister is scheduled to attend a dinner hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping in honor of world leaders participating in the forum. Kakar will also engage with a delegation of Chinese think-tanks and scholars, as reported by state media.
Attended an insightful roundtable in Beijing on #CPEC's decade-long journey. Proud of the progress we've made, elevating Pakistan's socio-economic landscape and strengthening our bond with China. As we reflect on successes, we're geared up for its next phase, focusing on growth,… pic.twitter.com/f7dMsI18PU
— Anwaar ul Haq Kakar (@anwaar_kakar) October 17, 2023
Addressing a roundtable discussion in Beijing, Kakar highlighted the substantial benefits of investing in solar parks, emphasizing their potential to advance Pakistan’s climate action goals and significantly reduce the nation’s energy import expenses. He underscored the enduring friendship between China and Pakistan, which is rooted in shared interests and mutual objectives. Kakar emphasized that this special relationship enjoys unwavering national consensus in Pakistan, and there is no bilateral relationship more crucial to Pakistan than its friendship with China.
He further hailed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a tangible testament to the strategic collaboration between the two nations, signifying the joint efforts to elevate their economic and trade relations to new heights. Kakar asserted that CPEC is not only a transformative initiative central to Pakistan’s sustainable development agenda, but it also has reshaped Pakistan’s geoeconomic landscape, extending from Gilgit-Baltistan to the ports of Gwadar and Karachi. Under this initiative, Pakistan’s infrastructure has been revitalized, unlocking the potential of its vast youth population. Moreover, CPEC has acted as a catalyst for job creation, poverty alleviation, and rural development, particularly benefiting the underprivileged and remote segments of society.
Kakar, hailing from Balochistan, an underdeveloped province in Pakistan, regarded CPEC as a beacon of development, progress, and prosperity for his region. He underlined Pakistan’s commitment to exploring new avenues for growth that will not only benefit the nation but also the broader region. He stressed that CPEC is a symbol of the strategic trust between Pakistan and China and announced Pakistan’s openness to welcoming new partners who wish to harness the benefits of CPEC.
The interim Prime Minister also reported impressive progress since President Xi Jinping’s previous visit to Pakistan, which included the addition of 800 kilometers of roads and motorways, injecting over 8,000 megawatts of energy into the network, and generating more than 2,000 new job opportunities. Looking ahead, Kakar advocated for a deeper integration of economies in the next phase of CPEC, with a strong focus on diversification and innovation.
Concluding his remarks, Kakar emphasized the critical role of skill development and vocational training programs in ensuring the success of CPEC’s future endeavors.
Had a productive meeting with the President of Kenya @WilliamsRuto on the sidelines of the 3rd Belt and Road Forum. We had fruitful discussions on further strengthening Pakistan-Kenya ties with a focus on deepening economic cooperation. #BRI10Years pic.twitter.com/yyMjspIN1a
— Anwaar ul Haq Kakar (@anwaar_kakar) October 17, 2023
Taking to social media, Kakar expressed his pride in attending a thought-provoking roundtable discussion in Beijing, reflecting on the remarkable progress achieved in elevating Pakistan’s socio-economic landscape and strengthening the bond between Pakistan and China. He outlined the future focus on growth, innovation, and green development.
In addition to his interactions in Beijing, the interim Prime Minister met with Kenyan President William Ruto on the sidelines of the BRF, reinforcing Pakistan’s commitment to fostering international relationships and collaborations. This diplomatic engagement underscores Pakistan’s active participation in global initiatives, marking a significant step in strengthening its position on the international stage.
