Says both countries remained in close coordination at international forums to defend interests of developing nations
DPM and FM Senator Ishaq Dar addressing the Senate. SCREENGRAB
ISLAMABAD:
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday said that Pakistan and China’s bilateral relations were multidimensional and based on mutual trust, respect, and benefit, as both countries remained in close coordination at international forums to defend the interests of developing nations.
The statement came as a high-level Chinese delegation, led by Cai Dafeng, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, visited the Senate to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The session was conducted by Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani and Deputy Prime Minister Dar. They told senators that Pakistan remained firmly committed to the One China policy and appreciated China’s consistent support for Pakistan’s sovereignty, security, and development.
“Pakistan-China bilateral relations are multidimensional and based on mutual trust, respect, and mutual benefit,” Dar said. He added that Pakistan and China had remained in close coordination at international forums, including the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, to defend the interests of developing countries.
Dar said Pakistan had also played a role in reducing tensions between the United States and Iran and was working with other countries to promote regional peace, adding that during his recent visit to China, both sides proposed a five-point peace plan that was later endorsed by dozens of countries.
Recalling the origins of CPEC, Dar said the project was conceived after the 2013 general elections when a Chinese premier visited Pakistan during the caretaker government setup. He said then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held “very meaningful meetings” with the Chinese side at the Serena Hotel.
Dar said Pakistan at the time was facing up to 18 hours of electricity outages in cities and 20 hours in villages. “We asked China to help Pakistan overcome load-shedding and energy shortages. Those discussions later turned into the CPEC project, and China gave massive support,” he said.
Highlighting economic cooperation, Dar said the second phase of CPEC had already begun and would include energy projects and broader development initiatives. “From the Karakoram Highway to Gwadar Port, symbols of Pakistan-China friendship are spread across the country,” he added, saying CPEC had transformed Pakistan’s economic landscape and that Islamabad now looked forward to “CPEC 2.0”.
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Dar also praised China’s support for parliamentary democracy and stressed the importance of regular parliamentary exchanges between the two countries. He announced that he would accompany PM Shehbaz on a state visit to China from May 23 to 26 for celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic ties and meetings with Chinese leaders, including Premier Li Qiang.
He said a large multi-party parliamentary delegation from Pakistan would participate and establish the Pakistan-China Political Parties Forum and meetings under the CPEC joint consultative mechanism.
Concluding his speech, Dar congratulated the people and leadership of both countries on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and expressed hope for continued cooperation for “shared peace and progress.”
Earlier, Gilani welcomed the visiting delegation and said their visit reflected the warmth and enduring trust defining Pakistan-China relations.
Addressing the House, Gilani said the two countries were celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations built on “iron-clad friendship, mutual respect and shared purpose.” He recalled the oft-repeated proverb describing bilateral ties as “higher than mountains, deeper than oceans, sweeter than honey, and stronger than steel.”
The Senate chairman recalled former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s 2010 address to Parliament, describing it as a historic and memorable occasion.
He said parliamentary ties between Pakistan and China were promoting mutual understanding and cooperation, adding that the visit of the Chinese delegation would open a new chapter in parliamentary and strategic cooperation between the two countries.
“We welcome our extremely important friends,” Gilani said, adding that Asia’s future depended on peace and dialogue. “All issues must be resolved through talks. Pakistan-China friendship is important for peace in Asia.”
He described China as a role model for Pakistan, saying Beijing had tackled issues such as unemployment and economic development within decades. “China promotes relations in the world for development, unlike countries that once built ties for wars,” he added. Gilani also said the completion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would become an example of Pakistan-China friendship for the world.
