Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq meets with Mr. Zh

September 13,2016

Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, who is on a short visit to China, held a meeting with Mr. Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) today at the Great Hall of People.

During the meeting, the Speaker termed friendly relations with China as a key priority for Pakistan. He expressed the hope that frequent parliamentary exchanges and people-to-people contacts would further strengthen the historically robust relationship. Mr. Zhang termed Pakistan and China as “All Weather Strategic Partners” and expressed support for the initiatives undertaken by the Government of Pakistan for socio-economic development.

The two sides reiterated their commitment to the timely completion of various projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). It was underscored that the CPEC was to the benefit of the two countries as well as for the entire region. Speaker Ayaz Sadiq highlighted the complete political consensus in Pakistan on the importance of the CPEC and on Pakistan-China relations.

Speaker Ayaz Sadiq also briefed his Chinese counterpart on the current situation in the Indian occupied Kashmir and emphasized on the need for a peaceful settlement of this longstanding dispute in accordance with the UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Mr Zhang expressed his understanding of Pakistan’s position on the Kashmir dispute.

The two sides agreed on the need for frequent parliamentary exchanges at various levels to have parliamentary oversight over the CPEC projects as well as to further strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two countries in different areas.

Later same evening, the Speaker also attended a dinner hosted by Madam Shen Yueyue, Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), at the Great Hall of the People.
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