PM Imran Khan asks ministers, aides to be ‘fully prepared’ for China visit

Islamabad: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has asked his ministers and aides to be ‘fully prepared’ for the upcoming China visit where the two sides are expected to sign some agreements and the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).

The PM, who will attend the inaugural ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Beijing on February 4, directed all relevant ministers to do their homework before the meetings with the Chinese leaders.

At least five ministers will accompany PM Imran Khan on his three-day trip to China to attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.

In a meeting of the federal cabinet here, the PM also briefed the ministers regarding the COVID-19 protocols to be followed during the visit to China.

He further directed all ministers to take necessary briefing from their ministries ahead of this “important trip.”

Earlier, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmed said that during the Prime Minister’s visit, officials from Islamabad and Beijing will discuss the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), among other things.

The presence of Pakistan’s Prime Minister will be significant because some big western countries have decided to boycott the massive event, which is due to begin on February 4.

The United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada have announced a diplomatic boycott of the event, with North Korea being the most recent to withdraw, citing the pandemic.

Despite the fact that athletes from all over the world will travel to compete in the four-yearly tournament, no dignitaries from these western countries are planned to attend.