At the invitation of Chinese leadership, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is undertaking a five-day visit to China from the 4th of next month. Sharing details of the visit at her weekly news briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said the Prime Minister will meet President Xi Jinping and hold delegation level talks with Premier Li Qiang in Beijing. The spokesperson said the two sides will undertake discussions to further strengthen the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, upgrade CPEC, advance trade and investment, enhance cooperation in security and defense, energy, space, science and technology and education as well as promote cultural cooperation and people to people contacts, thus setting the future trajectory of Pakistan-China friendship. The Prime Minister will also hold meetings with the Chairman of standing committee of the National Peoples Congress and heads of key government departments. The spokesperson said an important aspect of the Prime Minister's visit will be meeting with the corporate executives of leading Chinese companies dealing in oil and gas, energy, ICT and emerging technologies.

In the Chinese city Shenzhen, the Prime Minister will address Pakistan-China Business Forum. He will also visit economic and agriculture zones in China.   Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said the Prime Minister's visit is a manifestation of the Iron clad China-Pakistan friendship characterized by frequent high level exchanges and dialogue. When asked about the recent talks with Afghanistan, the Spokesperson said Pakistan has shared the findings   into the Bisham attack with Afghan authorities and sought their assistance in apprehending the perpetrators. She said the Afghan side has committed to prevent the use of their soil for any terrorist activity. They have agreed to examine the findings and to work with Pakistan to  take the investigation to its logical conclusion. Referring to the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in the war on terrorism, the spokesperson reaffirmed the country's commitment to fighting the terrorist elements. Responding to a question, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said the Indian leaders consider the bashing of Pakistan and Muslims a winning formula in their elections. She said we have seen the same during the current elections in India. She said Pakistan rejects the politically motivated and concocted statements on the part of the Indian leaders.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan