Pak to boost trade tie with China

Islamabad: PPP Leader Sardar Asif Ahmad Ali hoped that visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to China would have a positive impact on Pakistan's economy besides cementing the already strong friendly relations between the two countries.

President Zardari has gone to China with a comprehensive agenda and to reflect the time tested friendship between Pakistan and China.

Sardar Asif said that during President Zardari`s four-days visit various important agreements will be signed. Pakistan has already signed some 12 agreements and protocols with China for enhancing mutual co-operation in vitally important sectors on Wednesday. Asif said it would enhance co-operation in various sectors and may ensure China's help in the current economic crisis.

Energy will be the first priority agenda item of his tour, he said adding, 'We want to include China in the Iran, Pakistan, India gas pipeline (IPI) project and I hope it is studying the project'. He said that co-operation in nuclear technology has also got an important place on the agenda as nuclear power generation is the one most feasible technology that can help us to get rid of power shortage and expensive hydel power generation.

' We will be needing almost eight nuclear power reactors to establish atleast one in every province/region of Pakistan'. About security and terrorism issue, he said China is also concerned on terrorism. Incidents of terrorism are common in Xinjinag. About Bhasha dam, he said there was acute shortage of funds for starting work on this dam which, he added, China has agreed to resolve this issue but is concerned with the security of its personnel working in Pakistan.

Responding to a query he said there are some hidden forces trying to disturb Sino-Pak relations. India has tried its best to undermine our strong relations, he said. Those kidnapping Chinese are serving either India or any other power instead of Pakistan, he deplored.

'We need Chinese co-operation in irrigation and agriculture sector, We cannot ignore East or West. We have to convert our strategic advantage into an asset, We can do so by establishing peace in our country'. He said it is imperative that terrorism be eliminated from the society. We have to ensure that Chinese working in Pakistan enjoy the respect, affection and security befitting to our brotherly relations.