Islamabad: Dr. Hassan Daud Butt Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has held a very result-oriented meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continue working closely with China for the successful implementation of ongoing China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been recognized as a champion of CPEC since his tenure as Chief Minister of Punjab province. He has been involved in the monitoring and evaluation of all CPEC projects from their inception to their operational phases. At this stage, there are vulnerabilities and challenges to the global supply chain, trade, business, and economy. Therefore, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif aims to transform the strategic relationship into an economic partnership. This involves taking steps to enhance the capacity of the private sector, creating jobs through joint business ventures, and leveraging China’s support in the IT and technology sectors to make the special economic zones under CPEC
successful.
According to Radio Pakistan, Pakistan’s budget performance in agricultural and large-scale manufacturing sectors has been lacking. China, being a global leader in these sectors, presents opportunities for collaboration and support. In light of the regional security situation, Pakistan is encouraged to adopt China’s diplomatic approach, which emphasizes regional interaction and mutual cooperation. Following the onset of the Israel and Iran conflict, President Xi Jinping’s visits to various countries showcased a regional supportive approach that Pakistan could emulate. Learning from China could help Pakistan modernize its agricultural sector, which is currently hindered by outdated machinery and methods. There is a need to diversify crops to include those that consume less water, establish agricultural expo centers in remote areas, and explore new markets for agricultural and fruit products. Co-branding agricultural products with China is also proposed as a strategy to enhance the sector’s growth.