Shafaqna Pakistan: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday called for further strengthening Pakistan and China’s All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership across a wide range of sectors.
Dar made the remarks during a meeting with Pakistan’s Ambassador-designate to China, Ali Asad Gilani, according to a statement issued by Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan.
The deputy prime minister identified trade and investment, connectivity, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), agriculture, science and technology, education and people-to-people ties as key areas for expanding bilateral cooperation.
Dar congratulated Gilani on his appointment and reiterated Pakistan’s strong commitment to its longstanding and time-tested relationship with China, describing the bilateral partnership as a matter of particular importance.
Appreciating Ambassador-designate Gilani’s services as Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific), the DPM expressed confidence that his experience would contribute to further strengthening this enduring partnership and wished him a successful tenure.
Ambassador Khalil Hashmi completed his tenure in Beijing, which began in November 2023.
A day earlier, DPM Dar announced that Ali Asad Gilani would succeed Khalil Hashmi as Pakistan’s Ambassador to China.
In a post on X, DPM Dar said Hashmi would join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) next week following the successful completion of his tenure as Pakistan’s ambassador to China.
“Mr Khalil Hashmi will be joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs next week,” Dar said, adding that he had made an “important contribution to further advancing the close and enduring Pakistan-China friendship”.
“I am pleased to share that Ali Asad Gilani will succeed him as Pakistan’s next Ambassador to China,” Dar said.
Source: Express Tribune
