Pakistan to work with China in countering terrorism: President Zardari 

Urumqi (Web Desk): President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday met Communist Party Secretary of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Chen Xiaojiang, who was joined by the region’s Governor, Erkin Tuniyaz.

Chen extended a warm reception to the president, recalling Zardari’s participation at an expo in Urumqi back in 2011 as well as his visit to Beijing earlier this year, where he met President Xi Jinping and witnessed the signing of several agreements and MoUs covering diverse sectors.

He also drew attention to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent trip to China for the SCO Summit and the 80th Anniversary of Victory over Fascism, noting that during that visit the second phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) gained momentum with multibillion-dollar accords in agriculture, industry, mining and other areas.

The Communist Party Secretary spoke of Xinjiang’s rapid transformation into a region of prosperity, stability and peace, reporting that its GDP has crossed 5.6 trillion yuan.

He highlighted advances in agriculture and livestock development while underlining that the province had effectively addressed the root causes of terrorism and extremism.

The party secretary further mentioned the recent visits of the Governor of Balochistan and the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan to Xinjiang.

Chen pointed out that eight sister-city arrangements already exist between China and Pakistan, among them Urumqi and Peshawar, and said Xinjiang hopes to deepen both government-to-government and business-to-business ties with Pakistan in agriculture, livestock, industry and mining.

He reaffirmed that both countries would maintain their stance of zero tolerance towards terrorist groups and continue close coordination in matters of security and counter-terrorism.

Responding to the welcome, President Zardari said he was pleased to return to Xinjiang, praising the unity of the Chinese people and the remarkable progress of the region. He stressed that Pakistan-China ties are unparalleled, time-honored and remain central to Pakistan’s foreign policy.

The president assured that Pakistan will continue to work alongside China to counter extremism and terrorism while also enhancing cooperation in technology, agriculture, industry, mining, livestock and manufacturing.

He voiced hope that stronger connectivity between Xinjiang and Pakistan’s northern areas would help deepen both cultural and economic relations, adding that he looked forward to a time when travel between the two countries by road would be convenient and accessible.

Emphasizing Xinjiang’s strategic importance in CPEC, President Zardari encouraged broader collaboration in industrial and agricultural fields, noting the promise of Special Economic Zones in Gilgit-Baltistan.

He invited people from Xinjiang to visit Pakistan’s northern regions and reaffirmed that Pakistan would remain China’s most dependable partner and trusted friend.

The meeting concluded with a dinner hosted by Chen Xiaojiang in honor of the visiting president and his delegation. Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Sindh Energy Minister Nasir Shah, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, and the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan also took part in the meeting.