BEIJING: China is willing to strengthen co-operation and promote solidarity with Pakistan but has urged it to guarantee the safety of Chinese organizations and personnel working there, China’s foreign ministry said, quoting President Xi Jinping.
China is a major ally and investor in Pakistan but militants have attacked Chinese projects over recent years, killing Chinese personnel.
Xi on Thursday evening met Pakistan’s caretaker prime minister, Anwar ul Haq Kakar, who is in Beijing this week for a forum on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Xi said both countries should pursue an “upgraded version” of a China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, enhancing cooperation in industrial parks, agriculture and mining, new energy, as well as early implementation of major connectivity projects.
At the same time, he called for security for Chinese interests.
“We hope the Pakistani side will guarantee the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan,” the ministry cited Xi as telling Kakar.
Kakar said on Wednesday Pakistan had completed more than 50 projects worth $25 billion under the CPEC, a flagship project under China’s BRI with more than $65 billion pledged for road, rail and other infrastructure developments.
Xi said China was open to buttressing cooperation within the UN and Shanghai Cooperation Organization framework and safeguard the interests of developing countries.
China also welcomed more high-quality agricultural imports from Pakistan, the ministry said in a statement late on Thursday.
Separatist insurgents in Pakistan’s resource-rich Balochistan province say China has ignored warnings not to enter deals with the Pakistani government. China has also warned of the danger or Islamist militants in Pakistan.
China ready to boost Pakistan ties but urges security guarantee — Xi
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China ready to boost Pakistan ties but urges security guarantee — Xi
- China is a major investor in Pakistan but militants have attacked Chinese projects over recent years, killing personnel
- Xi said the two countries should enhance cooperation in industrial parks, agriculture and mining, new energy
Pakistan forms committee to negotiate financial advisory services for Islamabad airport privatization
- Committee to engage Asian Development Bank to negotiate terms of financial advisory services agreement, says privatization ministry
- Inaugurated in 2018, Islamabad airport has faced criticism over construction delays, poor facilities and operational inefficiencies
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Privatization Ministry announced on Wednesday that it has formed a committee to engage the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to negotiate a potential financial advisory services agreement for the privatization of Islamabad International Airport.
The Islamabad International Airport, inaugurated in 2018 at a cost of over $1 billion, has faced criticism over construction delays, poor facilities, and operational inefficiencies.
The Negotiation Committee formed by the Privatization Commission will engage with the ADB to negotiate the terms of a potential Financial Advisory Services Agreement (FASA) for the airport’s privatization, the ministry said.
“The Negotiation Committee has been mandated to undertake negotiations and submit its recommendations to the Board for consideration and approval, in line with the applicable regulatory framework,” the Privatization Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said Islamabad airport operations will be outsourced under a concession model through an open and competitive process to enhance its operational efficiency and improve service delivery standards.
Pakistan has recently sought to privatize or outsource management of several state-run enterprises under conditions agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of a $7 billion bailout approved in September last year.
Islamabad hopes outsourcing airport operations will bring operational expertise, enhance passenger experience and restore confidence in the aviation sector.
In December 2025, Pakistan’s government successfully privatized its national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), selling 75 percent of its stakes to a consortium led by the Arif Habib Group.
The group secured a 75 percent stake in the PIA for Rs135 billion ($482 million) after several rounds of bidding, valuing the airline at Rs180 billion ($643 million).
Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said this week the government has handed over 26 state-owned enterprises to the Privatization Commission.
