Islamabad (Web Desk): President Dr Arif Alvi, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and other political and social personalities condoled the death of former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday expressed deep grief over the death of former Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang and said that Pakistan today lost a great friend.
The president said Li Keqiang was a strong advocate and supporter of Pak-China economic and strategic relations.
"Li Keqiang was a visionary leader and I express my condolences on behalf of the people of Pakistan to his family, the Chinese people and its leadership in this hour of grief," President Alvi said in a condolence statement.
The president recalled that during his solidarity visit to China in March 2020, he had the honor to meet Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
"I found him a sincere friend and he was enthusiastic to further cement our All-Weather Friendship," he said.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Friday expressed deep sorrow over the death of Li Keqiang.
In a post on X (formely Twitter) the premier wrote, "Our thoughts and sympathies are with Late Premier Li, his family and with the Chinese nation at this hour of grief," he posted on social media platform, X.
PM Kakar termed Li Keqiang "a great friend of Pakistan".
'We fondly remember his visit to Pakistan in 2013," he said.
Former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, expressing sorrow over death of the former Chinese premier, said he was “profoundly saddened” by the news of Li Li Keqiang's passing.
"Over the last decade, I had the privilege of knowing Li as a sincere friend of Pakistan. His substantial contributions to strengthening Sino-Pakistan relations were remarkable," he said.
Shehbaz Sharif said that China has lost “a dedicated and remarkable statesman, while Pakistan mourns the loss of a steadfast and reliable friend”.
Meanwhile, Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani has remembered Li as a “statesman”, adding that he contributed to “strengthening” ties between Pakistan and China.
“As the then-foreign secretary, I organised his visit to Pakistan in May 2013. My thoughts are with premier Li, his family and the Chinese people,” he said.
China’s former premier, Li Keqiang died of a sudden heart attack in Shanghai in the early hours on Friday morning, according to China’s Xinhua news agency. He was 68.