Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar arrived in Urumqi,
China Thursday for attending the inaugural
ceremony of the Central Asian Region Economic Cooperation (CAREC)
Institute.
Mr. Shohrat Zakir, Governor of
Xinjiang Province called on the Finance Minister and extended him a warm
welcome. He said that the friendship between China and Pakistan is time tested
and the best of the relationships between any two countries of the world. The
visit by the Finance Minister and his delegation to Xinjiang Province would
further enhance the level of cooperation not only between the two governments
but also between the people of Xinjiang and people of the bordering areas of
Gilgit –Baltistan in Pakistan. He said that the establishment of CAREC
Institute would provide a research and knowledge sharing platform
for the people of two countries to explore new avenues of
development.
Finance
Minister thanked the Governor for his hospitality and congratulated him for
successful inauguration of the CAREC Institute. He said that Pakistan-China
friendship enjoys across the board political, institutional and popular support
in Pakistan that is unique and sets it apart from relationships with other
countries. Xinjiang Province is contiguous with Pakistan’s Northern Areas and
having historical, cultural and trade links, which needs further strengthening
to declare the same as the Gateway between the two countries. He also
emphasized on development of rail linkages between the bordering cities of the
two countries. The Minister thanked the Governor for permission to Habib Bank
Limited for opening up its branch in Urumqi. He stated that given the
ever-increasing number of Pakistani businessmen engaged in trade in the
province of Xinjiang, opening of a Consulate is also a priority for the
Government of Pakistan.