Chinese premier to visit Pakistan on Oct 14: Deputy PM Dar

Chinese premier to visit Pakistan on Oct 14: Deputy PM Dar as the SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting is scheduled in Islamabad.

China’s Premier Li Qiang is scheduled for a bilateral visit to Pakistan on October 14, as confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. The upcoming international visits will demonstrate Pakistan is not isolated on the global stage as highlighted by Dar. China, a key ally of Pakistan, has invested over $65 billion in infrastructure and development projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), part of China’s broader Belt and Road Initiative.

SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting

Li Qiang’s visit will precede the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government Meeting, scheduled for October 15-16 in Islamabad. The SCO, founded by China and Russia in 2001, focuses on political, economic, security, and defense matters in Eurasia. Dar also noted that three significant international visits, including Malaysia’s Prime Minister on October 2 and China’s Premier on October 14, will occur in Pakistan within the next two weeks.

Chinese investments since 2013, including loan rollovers, have been critical for Pakistan’s struggling economy. However, the relationship between the two nations has faced challenges recently due to security concerns. Militants targeting Chinese projects in Pakistan have led to calls from Beijing for improved security, with Pakistan pledging to protect Chinese nationals.

Before Qiang’s visit, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim will arrive in Pakistan for a three-day visit on October 2, aiming to strengthen ties in areas such as trade, energy, and connectivity. These international visits are part of Pakistan’s broader effort to attract foreign investment in key sectors, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif seeks partnerships rather than loans to stabilize the economy.

Amid ongoing economic challenges, Pakistan views foreign investments as vital to preventing a prolonged macroeconomic crisis, which has led to a weakened currency and depleted foreign exchange reserves.