Islamabad, June 21st—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), attended and addressed here today the China-Pakistan Political Parties Forum and the 3rd Meeting of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism co-hosted by the IDCPC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan. The meeting was chaired by Ishaq Dar, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. More than 100 representatives from major political parties, think tanks, and media outlets from Pakistan were present, including Yusuf Raza Gilani, Vice Chairman of the Pakistan People's Party and Chairman of the Senate; Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, leader of the PML-N and Speaker of the National Assembly; Ahsan Iqbal, Secretary General of the PML-N and  Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives; Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Chairman of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan and Minister for Education and Professional Training; Fazlur Rehman, chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazlur (JUI-F), Syed Ali Zafar, leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Senator; Jan Muhammad Buledi, Secretary General of the National Party and Senator; Munaza Hassan, leader of the Istenhkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and Member of National Assembly; Hina Rabbani Khar, leader of the Pakistan People's Party and former Foreign Minister; Afrasiab Khattak, leader of the National Democratic Movement; Ihsan Ullah Khan, leader of the Awami National Party; and Asif Luqman Qazi, Director of Foreign Affairs of Jammat-e-Islami (JI).  

Liu remarked, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif visited China not long ago. General Secretary Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders reached broad and new consensus with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on further deepening the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between China and Pakistan and advancing pragmatic cooperation in various fields. This visit sent apolitical signal of the unbreakable China-Pakistan friendship. Both sides should jointly implement the consensus, deepen the alignment of development strategies, promote pragmatic cooperation in various fields to a higher level, and accelerate the building of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.  

Liu emphasized, relations between political parties are a significant component of China-Pakistan relations. For a long time, the CPC has maintained close exchanges and mutual support with various Pakistani political parties, playing an essential role in enhancing political mutual trust, promoting pragmatic cooperation, and deepening mutual learning in governance between the two countries. The political parties of China and Pakistan should strengthen experience exchange in state governance and administration, lead the alignment of development strategies, build platforms for pragmatic cooperation, facilitate cooperation between local governments and enterprises, promote exchanges among youths, media, think tanks, and localities, guide the public to enhance mutual understanding, and ensure that the friendship between China and Pakistan is passed down from generation to generation. The IDCPC is willing to invite more representatives from Pakistani political parties, youth, and media to visit China to promote exchanges between Chinese and Pakistani political parties and people.  

Liu stated, the CPEC holds a special status as a key link and model of cooperation between the two countries. Both sides should adhere to the political consensus of planning together, building together and benefiting together. He called on both sides to improve the business environment and build security consensus, focus on the building of a livelihood-enhancing corridor to enhance social consensus, and strengthen media cooperation to foster public consensus. Efforts should be made to promote high-quality, in-depth, and practical development of the CPEC, thus supporting Pakistan’s economic and social development.  

Leaders of Pakistani political parties expressed that Pakistan and China are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and iron-clad friends, and the deep-rooted and unbreakable China-Pakistan friendship is deeply ingrained in the hearts of the Pakistani people. The Pakistani political parties are grateful for China’s long-standing and valuable support for Pakistan’s economic and social development, highly commend China’s remarkable achievements in various fields, and fully support the three major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping. Despite differing political views, all Pakistani political parties adhere to the one-China principle and are committed to the Pakistan-China friendship. The CPEC is a flagship project of the Belt and Road cooperation and a pillar of Pakistan-China relations. It helps with Pakistan’s economic transition and brings benefits to its people. All Pakistani political parties fully support the CPEC and are willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the CPC to promote greater development in Pakistan-China relations.  

After the meeting, Liu and Dar jointly met with the press.