KARACHI: The chief executive of Pakistan’s Sindh province on Saturday expressed his administration’s desire to bolster collaboration with Beijing in transport, energy and agriculture sectors during a meeting with a top diplomat, nearly three weeks after two Chinese engineers were killed in an explosion in the city.
The two countries jointly initiated a series of energy and infrastructure development projects under the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to aid Pakistan’s development.
However, militants have persistently targeted Chinese nationals in different parts of the country, raising concerns about the safety of these workers and the prospects of the economic collaboration between the two nations.
Only a day earlier, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong urged the local authorities to apprehend the perpetrators of the violent attacks on Chinese citizens.
“China is a key partner in electricity, coal and other projects in Sindh,” Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah was quoted in a statement circulated by his office after the meeting with Chinese Consul General Yang Yundong in Karachi.
“With China’s help, the Sindh government aims to improve agriculture, transport and other projects,” he added.
The meeting comes at a time when Pakistan has been reeling from a prolonged economic crisis and has sought to enhance bilateral trade and investment cooperation with friendly countries like China to bolster its fragile economy.
Earlier this month, Pakistani state media reported that a Chinese development association would invest up to $13 billion in a free trade zone in Pakistan in the next five years.
The Chinese consul general also noted that businesses in his country were interested in collaborating with the provincial administration on a number of projects.
Pakistani province seeks to boost projects with Beijing amid concerns over Chinese safety
https://arab.news/2g9pd
Pakistani province seeks to boost projects with Beijing amid concerns over Chinese safety
- Sindh CM calls for greater collaboration with China in transport, energy sectors
- He meets a top diplomat from Beijing after a blast killed two Chinese in Karachi
Pakistan U19 to open tri-series against Afghanistan on Saturday in Zimbabwe
- Pakistan enter the tournament as U19 Asia Cup champions after beating India by 191 runs in Dubai
- The tri-series is seen as key preparation for next month’s U19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s under-19 cricket team will begin their tri-series campaign against Afghanistan on Saturday in Harare, using the tournament as a key preparation for next month’s ICC Men’s U19 World Cup co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Pakistan, the reigning ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup champions, are competing in the 50-over tri-series alongside Afghanistan and hosts Zimbabwe, with each team playing the others twice before the top two advance to the final on Jan. 6.
Pakistan won the eight-team Asia Cup in Dubai earlier this month, beating India by 191 runs in the final, and will play a minimum of four matches in the tri-series, starting at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
“The Asia Cup was a good win for us and the players showed great morale and intensity,” Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf said, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). “The tri-series is very important for the players and will help us find the right combinations ahead of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup.”
Pakistan will face Zimbabwe on Dec. 29 before meeting Afghanistan again on Jan. 2, followed by a second match against the hosts on Jan. 4. Matches will be played across venues in Harare, including Harare Sports Club, Prince Edward School and Sunrise Sports Club.
The tri-series is being seen as an important warm-up ahead of the U19 World Cup, which will be held from Jan. 15 to Feb. 6. Pakistan are placed in Group C and will play all their group-stage matches in Harare.
“The conditions here are similar and will be beneficial for our World Cup preparations,” Yousaf said. “Both teams in the tournament are strong and competitive and we respect every opposition as we look forward to a competitive event.”
Pakistan will open their World Cup campaign against England on Jan. 16, followed by matches against Scotland and Zimbabwe, with the Super Six stage beginning on Jan. 25 and the final scheduled for Feb. 6 at Harare Sports Club.
