PM Imran to embark on four-day visit to China tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan will depart for China tomorrow (April 25) on a four-day official visit, ARY News reported.

PM Khan is visiting China on an invitation extended by Chinese President Xi Jinping and will be his second visit since assuming the office in September 2018.

Sources said a new schedule has been designed for PM Khan’s visit, and a few of his earlier-planned meetings have been called off in the new agenda.

Advisor to PM on Finance Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Minister for Railways Shaikh Rasheed, Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda would accompany the prime minister.

Apart from them, the Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi, Advisor on Trade Abdul Razaq Dawood, Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Zulfi Bukhari, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Khusro Bakhtiar would also be the part of the delegation.

Read: PM Imran Khan to meet IMF chief on April 26

During his visit, Prime Minister Khan will attend the second Belt and Road Forum to be opened in Beijing on Friday.

Belt and Road Forum provides a platform to countries participating in Belt and Road Initiative for exchanging views and experiences on regional connectivity; policy synergy; socio-economic development and trade and commerce.

PM Khan will deliver a keynote speech in the opening ceremony of the forum and participate in the leaders’ round table moot. He would also hold meetings with several heads of state and government and corporate and business leaders.

The prime minister will also hold bilateral meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

Pakistan and China will also sign several MoUs and agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse areas.

Following the Forum, the prime minister will attend Beijing International Horticulture Exhibition-2019 and address Pakistan Trade and Investment Conference in Beijing.

PM Khan will also meet the CEO of World Bank during his visit. It is expected that his meeting with the Bank’s top executive would pave the way for financial support for Pakistan.

Imran Khan will meet Managing Director IMF Christine Lagarde on April 26. The prime minister and his team will inform the IMF about the pre-bailout package steps taken by the government.

Pak-China Friendship Association will also host luncheon for the prime minister. PM Khan will also meet the president of Belarus on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum.

The prime minister will leave for home at 11pm on April 28.