Pakistan mourns ‘great friend’ Li Keqiang’s demise

Islamabad: Pakistan mourned the demise of ‘great friend’ former Chinese premier Li Keqiang.

Caretaker Pakistani Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said he was “deeply saddened” by the demise of former Chinese premier Li Keqiang.

Li Keqiang died of a heart attack on Friday, barely seven months after retiring from a decade in office. He was 68.

Li was premier and head of China’s cabinet under President Xi Jinping for a decade until stepping down from all political positions in March.

“Deeply saddened and shocked to learn about the sad demise of former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. He was a great friend of Pakistan,” he posted on X. “We fondly remember his visit to Pakistan in 2013.”

President Dr Arif Alvi also expressed deep grief over the death of former Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang and said that Pakistan today lost a great friend. The president said Li Keqiang was a strong advocate and supporter of Pak-China economic and strategic relations.

“Li Keqiang was a visionary leader and I express my condolences on behalf of the people of Pakistan to his family, the Chinese people and its leadership in this hour of grief,” he mentioned in a condolence statement.

The President recalled that during his solidarity visit to China in March 2020, he had the honor to meet Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

“I found him a sincere friend and he was enthusiastic to further cement our All-Weather Friendship,” he added.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) top leaders Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari also condoled the death of former Chinese premier Li Keqiang..

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed profound grief and sorrow over the news of the demise of the former Chinese Prime Minister.

Bilawal in a condolence message said that Premier Li Keqiang gave great importance to the strengthening of bilateral ties and cooperation between Pakistan and China. It was the collective vision of the Pakistani and Chinese leaderships during the 2008-2013 PPP government under the guidance of President Zardari that led to the realization of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Premier Li Keqiang will be remembered by the Pakistani people as a great friend of Pakistan, Chairman Bilawal said. He extended condolences to the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government and people.

Former President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow and regret over the passing of the ex-Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Li Keqiang.

Zardari fondly recalled that on the late PM’s first visit to Pakistan in 2013, he was presented with the Nishan-e-Pakistan by him as a token of the all-weather friendship between the two countries.

Li Keqiang chose Pakistan for his first trip abroad after assuming office as the Chinese Premier to highlight the importance of Pakistan-China ties. This was at a time when the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), an initiative by President Zardari was budding into a full-fledged manifestation of the historic bilateral cooperation between the two nations. The two leaders had also signed bilateral cooperative documents relating to trade, economy, education and infrastructure.

Zardari extended condolences to the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government and people.

Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani remembered Li as a “statesman”, adding that he contributed to “strengthening” ties between Pakistan and China.

“As the then-foreign secretary, I organised his visit to Pakistan in May 2013. My thoughts are with premier Li, his family and the Chinese people,” he said.

Former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he was “profoundly saddened” by the news of Li’s passing.

“Over the last decade, I had the privilege of knowing Li as a sincere friend of Pakistan. His substantial contributions to strengthening Sino-Pakistan relations were remarkable,” he said.

Shariof contended that China has lost “a dedicated and remarkable statesman, while Pakistan mourns the loss of a steadfast and reliable friend”.