Pakistan and China imperative for each other: Minister

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said that Pakistan and China were imperative for each other.

Speaking to journalists here, Ahmed mentioned that Pakistan and China enjoyed strong relations. “Both the countries are imperative for each other,” he stressed.

To a question, the minister contended that financial matters were the main reason for delay in the completion of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

“The government is committed to complete all the CPEC projects on time. Pakistan and China have confidence in each other,” he remarked.

Ahmed underscored that inflation was the big challenge for the government and it was making efforts to overcome it, adding the inflation would be reduced in coming months.

He said the government policy to combat COVID-19 improved in the light of acknowledgment of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s policies from the international community.

To another question, maintained that Pakistan wanted to help Afghanistan as a peaceful Afghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan.

Earlier, Ahmed launched his book “Lal Haveli to United Nations: 50 years of politics.” Addressing the ceremony which was also attended by Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong, he underlined that the present government was working on several options to control inflation on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“The Prime Minister is seriously considering this issue as he wants to address this as early as possible. The issue of inflation is connected with the changing international economic situation as no one in the government wanted inflation in the country,” he added.

Ahmed informed the audience that in his book “Lal Haveli to United Nations” he narrated the story of his political journey.