TIANJIN (China) - Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf today concluded his four-day visit to China where he had useful discussions with his Chinese counterpart, Premier Wen Jiabao on a wide range of issues.
The prime mister sought Beijing’s investment in major sectors particularly the energy field. Moreover, Pakistan role in Afghanistan was explained in detail which was fully understood by the Chinese leadership.
The Chinese premier did not mince his words while appreciating the role of Pakistan urging the world community to recognise the efforts of Pakistan government against all odds, besides pledging Beijing’s fullest support to Islamabad in this regard. Both the leaders expressed satisfaction on joint defence production projects and frequent exchange programme of military delegations.
Besides holding talks with the Chinese top leadership, Premier Raja Ashraf also interacted with different world leaders present in Tianjin to attend the 6th annual Summer Davos under the auspices of the World Economic Forum from Sept 11-13. Danish Prime Minister, former British PM Gordan Brown and founder and Executive Chairman Prof Claus Schwab were of significance.
During these meeting, he shared with them Pakistan’s position on the regional issues and its role that it was playing for a peaceful settlement of the Afghan conflict particularly in the post withdrawal scenario. He convinced these leaders that continued drone attacks were proving to be counter-productive and sought their support in urging the US Administration to put a halt on them. He informed them that these attacks were not only generating hatred against the American people but also making it difficult for Pakistan to face the consequences.
On the last day of his presence in Tianjin, the prime minister delivered a key-note address at a meeting ‘an insight, an idea with the Prime Minister’. The main topic of his presentation was ‘Regional situation: Pakistan’s perspective’. He acted as a panellist in other session while leading a discussion on ‘Business Interaction Group on Pakistan’. He shared his perception over the geopolitical and economic situation prevailing in the South Asian region.
For the past two days, the prime minister remained engaged in monitoring the situation in Karachi and Lahore where two fire incidents claimed a massive human toll killing over 300 persons and injuring even a larger number. He remained in touch throughout with the governors and the chief ministers of Sindh and Punjab assuring them of full support from the federal government in terms of rescue and relief operations.
PM Raja directed the national disaster management agency (NDMA) to play their role in an effective manner and with a missionary zeal leaving no stone unturned in providing relief to the victims of the incidents. Besides this, he also remained alive to the floods situation following heavy rainfall in different parts of the country threatening people in Punjab and Sindh provinces.