Friendship with China a key component of Pakistan’s foreign policy, PM Shehbaz Sharif tells top editors

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday afternoon told the country’s top editors that friendship with China was a key component of Pakistan’s foreign policy.

Speaking to a delegation of the Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE), the Prime Minister also assured that journalists would be provided with all possible protection against unwarranted actions.

The PM, who took over last month, maintained that he was committed to expediting the work on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

The Prime Minister also expressed his resolve to effectively work over CPEC and Reko Diq projects for the national interest.

The PM reaffirmed to maintain ties with all the friendly nations and other countries on the basis of mutual respect and mutual interests.

He reiterated that the government had no intention to put any restriction on freedom of media and expression.

Praising CPNE’s role for the freedom of media, strengthening of democracy, and evolution of democratic institutions in the country, the PM said that the government was keen to engage constructively with CPNE and other media representative bodies for the protection of the rights of journalists and promotion of responsible journalism in the country.

The PM mentioned that the government was taking all possible measures to ensure power generation and its supply, so that public woes could be addressed.

During the meeting, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, Secretary Information Shahera Shahid, Principal Information Officer Mobashir Hasan and other officials were present.

CPNE delegation included President Kazim Khan, Senior Vice President Ayaz Khan, Vice President Punjab Irshad Ahmad Arif, Secretary General Aamir Mahmood and other members.